Snow avalanches likely to hit Uttarakhand, alert sounded

An alert has been sounded in the high-altitude districts of Uttarakhand in view of a communication from the Centre predicting snow avalanches in areas located above 2,500 metres in the hill state. Avalanche activity may take place in Chamoli, Pauri Garhwal, Pithoragarh, Tehri Garhwal and Uttarkashi districts from January 21 to 23, an official release quoting a communication from the Union Home Ministry said on Sunday. 

Chief Secretary N Ravishankar has given directions to the DMs of these districts to take necessary precautions in their areas following the communication, it said. The DMs have been asked to keep a watch on identified sensitive zones and disaster-prone areas, it said.

Areas above 2,500 metres in the state are prone to snow avalanches in the mentioned time-frame. People living in and around these areas have been advised not to venture out during the specified period, it said. They have also been advised to clean snow deposits on their rooftops on a regular basis to avoid damages.

The Union Home Ministry has predicted possibilities of avalanches in areas above 2,500 meters in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and areas above 2,700 metres in Jammu and Kashmir, the release added. 

Also Read: Snowfall in higher reaches of Uttarakhand