Avalanche alert: Forces put on high alert in U'khand

Forces deployed in the high altitude districts of Uttarakhand were put on high alert today in view of the possibility of avalanches in places located above 2,500 metres.

"SDRF, ITBP and SSB deployed in the border districts of Uttarakhand hills have all been alerted to deal with any eventuality. However, there is no need to panick as all arrangements are in place," Disaster Management and Mitigation Centre Executive Director Piyush Rautela told PTI.

The alert was issued for three days starting today following a communication from the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) in Chandigarh, he said.

According to the communication received from SASE on Friday night avalanche activity may take place in the higher reaches of the hills of Chamoli, Tehri, Pauri, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag and Pithoragarh districts from February 1-3, Rautela said.

The administration in these districts has been asked to be vigilant and keep a tab especially on areas above 2,500 metres which will be more vulnerable to avalanches during the specified time-frame, he said.

Though there is thin or no habitation in places above 2,500 metres, residents of villages located in high altitudes have been asked not to venture out during the specified period.

They have also been asked to clean snow deposits on their rooftops on a regular basis to avoid damages, he said.

This is the second such alert for the high altitude districts of Uttarakhand in less than a fortnight.

A similar alert had been sounded in these districts early last month following a communication from the Centre hinting at the possibility of snow avalanches in the higher reaches from January 21-23.