Composite avalanche control scheme developed for the lower Himalayan zone: a case history

The Western Himalaya shows vast and complex variations in snow, climatic and geological conditions. Warm temperatures, high precipitation, short winters, heavy drifting snow and unstable geological features are peculiar to the Lower Himalayan Zone (LHZ). Avalanche defence structures in the LHZ are subsequently difficult to design and expensive. Techno-economically viable schemes are required. A composite scheme comprising supporting structures, wind drift control structures and controlled release of avalanches has been designed and implemented at the D-10 experimental site on the National Highway Jammu-Srinagar. This site has a large catchment area with different snow accumulation patterns in its various gullies. Avalanches at the D-10 site take a heavy toll of lives and property, year after year. This paper describes the composite avalanche control scheme designed to control the D-10 avalanche.