Uttarakhand News Today: Avalanches are a common occurrence in the high Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, but sometimes these incidents can cause serious damage. Recently, the Defense Geo-informatics Research Establishment (DGRE) has issued an orange alert in view of the possibility of avalanche in Chamoli district. 

Apart from this, a yellow alert has also been issued in Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar districts. Avalanche is the process of sudden sliding of snow in glaciers or high Himalayan regions. This happens when layers of snow lose their balance on the slope and start falling down rapidly.

Why do avalanches happen?
According to scientists, avalanches mainly occur when there is sudden bright sunlight after heavy snowfall in the area. This causes the freshly fallen snow to melt and the stability of the glacier is affected. Due to the increase in the weight of snow, the pressure on the slope area increases and the snow starts sliding. The speed of an avalanche can be from 30 to 300 meters per second, which makes it dangerous.

The high Himalayan regions of Uttarakhand are filled with thousands of glaciers, where avalanches occur from time to time. These incidents are considered normal, but their frequency has increased due to climate change. Recently, an avalanche warning has been issued in Chamoli district after heavy snowfall on 27 and 28 December.

According to Disaster Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, avalanches usually occur in areas where there is no human population. But if this danger occurs in populated areas, then people are shifted to safer places. The administration has increased vigilance regarding the situation in Chamoli and other Himalayan districts.

Avalanche creates panic among devotees
There have been many incidents of avalanches in Uttarakhand before. Avalanche occurred three times in four days in Kedarnath (May 2023), causing panic among the devotees. Similarly, many members of the trekking team were killed in the avalanche on Draupadi mountain in Uttarkashi (September-October 2022).

Measures to reduce damage 
Scientist DP Dobhal believes that the incidence of avalanches is increasing due to climate change. The main reason for this is the rapid melting of snow due to strong sunlight after heavy snowfall. Apart from this, the increased weight of snow on the slopes also increases the possibility of incidents.

Although avalanches cannot be completely prevented, the loss of life and property caused by them can be reduced. For this, some basic things have to be followed. Let us understand how we can reduce the loss of life due to avalanches

1. Alert system: Timely alerts can be issued using modern technologies such as Doppler radar, sensors and satellite data.
2. Disaster management: Deployment of disaster management teams in vulnerable areas and alerting local people.
3. Local evacuation: Shifting people from potentially dangerous areas to safer places.

Preparation of DGRE and administration
Defense Geo-informatics Research Establishment has alerted the administration by issuing an avalanche warning in Chamoli district. The administration has banned trekking and mountaineering activities and increased alert in sensitive areas.

The disaster secretary said that steps are being taken on the basis of data received from the Meteorological Department. Avalanche-prone areas are being monitored with Doppler radar and other equipment.

Where does avalanche occur?
According to scientists, avalanches usually occur at an altitude of more than 2000 meters. Glacier areas are located at an altitude of more than 3800 meters, where these incidents occur more after snowfall. Avalanche is a natural phenomenon in Uttarakhand, but its impact can be reduced with timely warning and proper preparation. The administration and scientific institutions are trying to ensure that there is no loss of life or property due to avalanche.