DISASTER

MANAGEMENT
By:- Surbhit Gang
 AVALANCHES
• An avalanche (also called a snow slide) is an event that occurs when a cohesive
slab of snow lying upon a weaker layer of snow fractures and slides down a steep
slope.

• Avalanches are typically triggered in a starting zone from a mechanical failure in

the snowpack (slab avalanche) when the forces of the snow exceed its strength but
sometimes only with gradual widening (loose snow avalanche).

• After initiation, avalanches usually accelerate rapidly and grow in mass and volume
as they entrain more snow. If the avalanche moves fast enough, some of the snow
may mix with the air forming a powder snow avalanche, which is a type of gravity
current.
 AVALANCHES CONTROL
• Plant groupings of trees on hillsides, scattered enough to slow down and break up
any snow flow from above.

• Erect a large fence high on a mountaintop to help collect and balance the snow and
deter an eventual avalanche

• Use explosives to jar loose small buildups of snow.

• Fences, posts, nets, anchors and windbreaks change the way snow collects, reduce
the size of the slab or provide physical obstacles in the event of an avalanche.
 AVALANCHES AWARENESS
• If you do not plan on skiing off the regular, prepared pistes, you do not need to
worry: The controlled pistes are protected from avalanches and are blocked anyway
if there is any risk of avalanches. But those who are drawn to the off-piste areas
should always go out with necessary respect for potential dangers and prepare
themselves adequately.

• Because when an avalanche rolls down, it happens at a breath-taking speed.

Depending on the situation, avalanches can reach speeds up to 200 km/h. This
leaves you with very little time to think and you have to react immediately. So if you
want to ski off-piste, you should train the right behavior in special avalanche
preparation courses. Even if you ski in open terrain every winter, it does not hurt to
refresh the courses’ contents regularly.
THANK YOU