Several high-altitude districts of Himachal Pradesh, including Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, and Chamba, have been placed on Orange alert following an avalanche warning issued by state authorities.
The alert comes in the wake of an avalanche that struck near Ribba village in Kinnaur on Monday afternoon, triggering concern among local residents and officials. Although the avalanche debris plunged into a deep ravine and caused no loss of life or property, the incident underscored the growing risks in the region’s fragile Himalayan terrain.
The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) of Lahaul and Spiti has issued an Avalanche Advisory at Danger Level 3 (Orange), valid until 5:30 pm on February 3. Based on inputs from the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) and the Directorate General of Resettlement & Employment (DGRE), the advisory warns of possible medium-sized avalanches on steep slopes above 3,000 meters.
Authorities have advised residents and travelers to restrict movement to safe routes only and avoid avalanche-prone areas. The Meteorological Department has also cautioned that moderate avalanche danger is likely to continue over the next 24 hours across Chamba, Kinnaur, Lahaul, and Spiti, due to heavy snowfall followed by a sharp drop in temperatures that has destabilized the snowpack.
In response, district administrations in Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti have intensified monitoring and issued a joint advisory urging locals, tourists, and travelers to avoid unnecessary travel to high-altitude regions, suspend outdoor activities during warning periods, and stay away from steep, snow-covered slopes.
The advisory further emphasizes preparedness measures, including having an evacuation plan in place and understanding how to respond if caught in an avalanche.
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