Avalanche In Uttarakhand Claims Precious Lives: Threat Remains During This Weak
Mar 3, 2025, 5:00 PM | Skymet Weather Team
Army Personnel Performing Rescue in The Avalanche-Affected Area of Mana, Chamoli | Photo Courtesy: PTI
A massive avalanche swept through Mana, in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, at a height of above 10,500 feet. 54 workers of the Border Roads Organization were trapped when the avalanche thundered down on their shelter at dawn on Friday, 28th Feb 2025. The tragedy claimed 8 lives and 46 workers have been rescued, with 2 of them in critical condition.
Back-to-back active western disturbances have dumped very heavy snow in the mid and higher reaches of Kashmir Valley, Jammu Division, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Heavy to very heavy snowfall trounced the entire mountainous region during the last week of Feb and start of March 2025. Following this disaster, avalanches have struck Kashmir and Jammu Division, also. Heavy snowfall triggered an avalanche in the Gulmarg area and yet another avalanche in the Kishtwar region of Jammu on 01st March 2025. The connecting roads to the villages were cut off, and the residents were evacuated. Mercifully, there was no loss of life reported.
An avalanche refers to the roll down of piles of snow, accumulated over the slopes, following intense and incessant snowfall activity. It is a ‘no notice’ calamity like the earthquake, with the difference that some predictions can be made about the avalanche over a wider area but without the precise timings and location. Avalanche strikes unannounced, of course, with rolling stacks of snow making deafening and roaring sounds due to trapped air, traveling with the speed of a bullet, offering no chance of escape. The rolling debris comes down with tremendous speed, dragging mounds of snow, mud and rocks, if any. The momentum of disaster demolishes anything in its path and decimates structures, trees, material, and human beings, if any.
The danger of avalanches looms large, not only during the heavy weather but even after the cessation of snowfall activity. Heights around 10,000 feet and above are more susceptible to the avalanches. After the passage of the weather system, the broad clearance triggers a rise in temperatures, melting the snow along the baseline. Therefore, the danger of disaster remains even after the cessation of snowfall for the next 3-4 days. Avalanche warning still remains in place and caution needs to be exercised.
