Mitigation Measures for Avalanches

Mitigation Measures for Avalanches

• Avoiding construction of buildings for winter occupancy.

• Avoid construction of power lines, highways and railroads. It they must be constructed then design for minimum impact.

Forecast avalanche, by studying Snow deposition data, heat input, slope angle, by using Remote sensing technology & satellite imagery.

• Only allow agriculture and recreational activities during summer and spring.

• Use explosives to create smaller, controlled avalanches and thus avoid building up of snow for large unpredictable destructive avalanches.

• Quick response teams (QRT) from local administration and NDRF, with standard Avalanche equipment and devices like GPS, Radio Beacons, shovels and sniffer dogs.

Some structural and non-structural measures include:

• Structural measures:

• Planting (Avalanche Prevention Forest)

• Stepped Terraces

• Avalanche Control Piles

• Avalanche Control Fence

• Suspended Fences

• Snow Cornice Control Structures

• Protection structures such as stopping, deflecting and retarding structures.

• Non-structural measures - removing snow deposits on slopes by blasting, predicting avalanches and evacuating people from vulnerable areas.