Why in news
An avalanche in Mana village, Uttarakhand, trapped 23 workers, with 8 confirmed dead.
The workers were at a Border Roads Organisation site.
The rescue took 60 hours in harsh conditions at 10,500 feet.
Teams used helicopters and drones to locate and evacuate the survivors.
Concerns
Avalanches are common in Himalayan states like Uttarakhand, where villages are typically deserted in winter to avoid disasters.
The migrant workers may not have been fully aware of the risks, raising questions about the safety measures in place.
While avalanches can't be predicted, safer living conditions and better-designed shelters could improve survival chances.
The design of bomb shelters or research stations could offer insights for improving worker safety in hazardous environments.
The focus should shift from just rescuing workers to considering preventive measures and better protection against natural disasters.
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