Avalanche in Himalayan village claims lives and challenges

Source: The post Avalanche in Himalayan village claims lives and challenges has been created, based on the article “Himalayan tragedy: Impact of natural disasters, which are not very predictable, can be controlled” published in “The Hindu” on 8th March 2025. Avalanche in Himalayan village claims lives and challenges

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3-Disaster and disaster management.

Context: The article talks about a rescue operation in Mana village, Uttarakhand, after an avalanche. It highlights the risks faced by workers, the need for safer living conditions, and the lack of preventive measures despite frequent natural disasters in the Himalayan region.

What happened in Mana village, Uttarakhand?

1. An avalanche struck a Border Roads Organisation site in Mana village, Uttarakhand.
2. The site housed 54 workers in eight containers.
3. 23 workers were rescued by Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police teams. And 8 workers died in the disaster.
4. Rescue teams worked for nearly 60 hours amidst heavy snowfall at 10,500 feet.
5. Roads were blocked by snow, requiring helicopter evacuations.
6. Five Army, two Air Force, and one civilian helicopter were used.
7. Drone-based detection systems identified buried containers.
8. Avalanches are common in this Himalayan region, where villagers migrate during winter.

Why are avalanches common in this region?

1. Mana village is located at a high altitude, about 10,500 feet above mean sea level, contributing to its susceptibility to avalanches.
2. The village is among the last outposts near the border with China, a region known for its challenging weather conditions.
3. Historical practices of the villagers, such as ‘winter-migration’ to avoid harsh winter conditions, highlight an awareness of the risks posed by the environment.
4. Avalanches are common in this part of the Himalayas, which experience heavy snowfall.
5. The construction site was at a strategic location that required constant activity despite the inherent risks, showing the necessity of the work despite potential dangers.

What preventive measures could be taken?

1. Design safer shelters: Living containers should be built like bomb shelters or Antarctic research stations to withstand avalanches.
2. Raise risk awareness: Many workers were migrants and might not have known the risks of avalanches, so better information and training are needed.
3. Use advanced detection: Drones were used to detect containers buried under snow, showing the need for more such technology.
4. Ensure winter evacuation: Villagers migrate to lower areas during winter to avoid disasters; a similar strategy can protect workers.
5. Improve emergency response: Helicopters from the Army, Air Force, and a civilian copter were used effectively for evacuation, proving the need for such resources.

Question for practice:

Discuss the preventive measures that can be taken to protect workers from avalanches in Mana village, Uttarakhand.