Avalanches in Kashmir pose challenges

Joy turned into sorrow within minutes in the world famous ski-resort Gulmarg in north Kashmir on February 22 when a Russian skier died after being buried under an avalanche. Six others got a fresh lease of life after their timely rescue and evacuation to safer places.

The incident points towards the fact that nature can change its face anytime! As per reports, the group of Russian skiers didn’t pay heed to advisory of the local avalanche centre and forayed into an avalanche-prone zone in Gulmarg.

Initial probe by the Gulmarg Avalanche Centre (GAC) revealed that the skier group comprising eight members went into back country side try D-4 zone which is a red zone area, violating advisories, amid adverse weather conditions. This area is out of bounds for skiing. The force exerted by the group on loose snow cover is believed to have triggered the massive avalanche.
Gulmarg has been witnessing frequent avalanches. In 2023, two Polish skiers died while 19 others including two guides were rescued after a massive avalanche hit the upper reaches of the Gulmarg. In 2018, a Swedish skier lost his life when an avalanche hit him and his four countrymen in the same area. On February 8, 2010, 17 soldiers were killed when a massive avalanche hit the Indian army's High Altitude Warfare School in Gulmarg.

As per experts, avalanches don’t strike inadvertently except during heavy storms or due to a lot of winds gathering to create a force. They believe that over 90 percent of those avalanches are triggered by skiers or snowboarders. This must be true to a ski-resort like Gulmarg.

Due to its unique slopes, economical skiing rates, Gulmarg has turned into a preferred ski-resort mostly for foreigners. Besides national and local skiers are showing their prowess in local and national ski events in Gulmarg. As per studies, Gulmarg, which is an eco-fragile area, has lost its carrying capacity due to manifold flow of visitors. The problem is compounded by continuous movement of snow-scooters and All Terrain Vehicles in eco-fragile and core areas in upper reaches of Gulmarg.

It needs no studies to point out how movement of these snow scooters and All Terrain Vehicles affects snow cover besides causing pollution. Continuous use of helicopters to ferry skiers to upper reaches of Gulmarg for downhill skiing can trigger rapid snow meltdown and avalanches. When we disturb nature, it will disturb us!

Jammu and Kashmir is vulnerable to natural calamities like floods, earthquakes, landslides and avalanches. Anantnag, Kulgam, Baramulla, Doda, Ganderbal, Bandipora districts in Kashmir while Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban in Jammu are vulnerable to avalanches.

An avalanche is a mass of snow, rock, ice, and soil that suddenly tumbles down a mountain. There is less time for reaction for the victims and evacuation.

How can we forget the deadly avalanche that buried the entire Waltengoo Nar village in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district in February 2005? 160 people were buried alive under the avalanche in the hamlet.

Experts predict that there will be increase in frequency of avalanches due to changing climate patterns in J&K. We witnessed a warmer and dry peak winter period this year and are all set for several drinking water crises this summer. Dry spell and rising temperatures are taking heavy toll on glaciers in Kashmir. Late snowfall in February gives softer surface to snow and is mostly watery. In case of disturbance on this weak snow surface, avalanches are bound to happen.

Studies reveal that  Kashmir valley will experience more frequent and prolonged dry spells from the mid to end of the 21st century making it a new norm during 2051-2099 due to the climate change. District Disaster Management Authorities have confined their role to only issuing advisories warming people of avalanches. But on the ground mitigation measures to prevent avalanches at least near human habitations is missing.

Environmentalists mince no words to blame increasing human activities in eco-fragile areas and climate change for natural disasters in J&K.  We have seen what scale of destruction haphazard execution of so-called development projects in eco-fragile areas can do! However, we are yet to wake up from the slumber!

We have seen destruction caused by the devastating earthquake in 2005 and still didn’t learn lessons. We saw horrible floods in 2014 and still continue to vandalise our water bodies. Indicators of climate change are clear in J&K. Notwithstanding the fragility of J&K to natural disasters, no stone is being left to vandalise the environment.  J&K’s mountains, lakes, rivers, agricultural fields, forests, karewas and wetlands are bearing the brunt of haphazard development.

We are burying our natural assets. We are converting forests into concrete jungles. We are filling up our water bodies. We are uprooting trees to make roads. From saviors, haven’t we turned as destructors?  We have to wake up and safeguard our fragile environment for our survival and future generations. We need to introspect. We must bear in mind that no one will come with Noah’s Ark for us!Author is Executive Editor, Greater Kashmir