Uttarakhand glacier burst: 430 rescued, 8 dead in avalanche; Amit Shah assures help

At least eight people died and 430 were rescued after a glacier collapses triggering an avalanche close to the Indo-China border in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district on Friday.

At least eight people died after an avalanche occurred in an area close to the Indo-China border in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district on Friday. The avalanche occurred after a part of a glacier collapsed beyond Sumna on Sumna-Rimkhim road where labourers are engaged in road construction work. A BRO Camp came under an avalanche in the afternoon of 23 Apr during heavy snowfall in Sumna area of Joshimath Sector in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.While 55 BRO persons could be mustered at first count, blizzard conditions kept resue operation at bay till late evening. Rescue operations were launched by the Indian Army immediately and 430 persons were rescued. Eight bodies have been recovered so far from the avalanche site. Six persons have sustained critical injuries and they are being treated at an army camp. "Border Roads teams from Joshimath clearing the area from Bhapkund to Sumna. It is expected to take another 6-8 hours," an official said. The area has been witnessing heavy rains and snow for the past five days.