Recently, an avalanche hit a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) project site near Mana — India’s “first” village — in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, trapping several workers and prompting a rescue operation that involved multiple agencies.

About Avalanche

•  Avalanche is a rapid descent of snow, ice, and debris down a mountain slope.
• It is triggered by natural or human-induced factors.
• It can cause widespread destruction, burying people, structures, and transport routes.

Avalanches Prone Areas in India

• The Himalayas are well known for the occurrence of snow avalanches particularly Western Himalayas I .e. the snowy regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Western Uttar Pradesh.
  • Jammu and Kashmir – Higher reaches of Kashmir and Gurez valleys, Kargil and Ladakh and some of the major roads
  • Himachal Pradesh – Chamba, Kullu- Spiti and Kinnaur vulnerable areas
  • Uttarakhand  – Parts of Tehri Garhwal and Chamoli districts are vulnerable areas.

Types of Avalanches

• Loose Snow Avalanche:
  • Occurs on steep slopes (>40°) with loosely bonded snow.
  • Less deadly but disruptive.
• Slab Avalanche:
• • Large, cohesive snow layer fractures and slides.
  • Most deadly, with speeds up to 100 km/h.
• Gliding Avalanche:
  • The entire snowpack slides over smooth surfaces (e.g., rock).
  • Common on slopes >15°.
• Powder Avalanche:
  • High-speed avalanche with suspended snow particles in the air.
  • Can reach speeds of 300 km/h, creating severe shockwaves.
• Wet Snow Avalanche:
  • Triggered by melting snow due to temperature rise or rain.
  • Slower but more destructive due to high density.

Causes of Avalanches

• Natural Causes:
  • Heavy Snowfall & Wind: Uneven snow accumulation causes instability.
  • Steep Slopes: Most likely on slopes between 30° and 45°.
  • Temperature Fluctuations: Melting and refreezing weakens snow layers.
  • Earthquakes & Vibrations: Can trigger avalanches.
• Human-Induced Causes:
  • Winter Sports & Tourism: Disturb snow layers, increasing instability.
  • Construction & Deforestation: Weakens slope stability.
  • Military Operations: Explosions and heavy equipment can trigger avalanches.

Consequences & Impact

• Loss of Life & Injuries: Suffocation, trauma, hypothermia; survival chances drop after 15 minutes of burial.
• Destruction of Infrastructure: Bury roads, railways, buildings, and shelters.
• Disruptions in Communication & Utilities: Damages power lines, water supply, and communication networks.
• Environmental Hazards: Melting snow causes landslides and flash floods, harming ecosystems.
• Economic Impact: Disrupts tourism, damages infrastructure, and leads to recovery costs.

Precautionary Measures

• Avalanche Early Warning Systems:
  • IMD Avalanche Forecasting: Tracks snowfall, slope stability, and temperature fluctuations to predict avalanches.
  • Remote Sensing & AI-Based Prediction Models: Utilizes technology for real-time detection and forecasting of avalanches.
• Structural Protection Measures:
  • Snow Barriers & Fences: Installed on avalanche-prone slopes to reduce snow buildup and block its path.
  • Deflecting Structures: Redirect the avalanche away from populated areas to minimize damage.
• Artificial Avalanche Triggers:
  • Controlled Explosions: Trigger smaller, controlled avalanches to prevent larger, uncontrollable ones from occurring.
• Zoning & Land Use Planning:
  • Avoid Construction in Avalanche-Prone Areas: Ensure that buildings and infrastructure are not placed in high-risk zones.
  • Ski Resorts & Highways Risk Assessments: Ski resorts and highways must follow detailed risk assessment reports to minimize exposure to avalanche hazards.

Needed Actions Required to be Taken

• Enhancing Real-Time Avalanche Forecasting: Strengthen satellite-based monitoring systems for early avalanche warnings.
• Improving Infrastructure Resilience: Build avalanche protection tunnels and snow-retention fences along highways to reduce risk.
• Stronger Coordination Between Agencies: Integrate efforts of IMD, BRO, NDMA, and ITBP for better disaster management and response.
• Community Training & Awareness Programs: Educate local residents, trekkers, and military personnel on avalanche survival skills and safety protocols.
• Encouraging Climate-Resilient Development: Prevent deforestation and unplanned construction in high-risk avalanche zones to reduce vulnerability.

Difference Between an Avalanche and a Landslide

About Mana Village

• Location: Situated in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand.
• Border: Shares a border with China.
• Formerly Known As: Referred to as the “Last Village” but now called the “First Indian Village”.
• Geographical Features: Located on the banks of the River Saraswati, just 3 km from Badrinath town.
• Renowned For: Famous for its woollen garments and materials made primarily from sheep wool.