Avalanche activity may take place in Chamoli, Pauri Garhwal, Pithoragarh, Tehri Garhwal and Uttarkashi districts between January 21 and 23. Areas above 2,500 metres in altitude in the State are prone to avalanche in the period. The Chief Secretary, N Ravishankar, has given directions to the DMs of all the districts to take precautionary measures.
He has asked them to keep a watch on the identified sensitive zones. People living in and around these areas have been advised not to venture out in the avalanche-prone areas during the period. They have also been advised to keep cleaning the snow deposits from the roof-top of their houses to avoid damage. The Union Home Ministry has predicted possibilities of avalanches in areas above 2,500 metres in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and areas above 2,700 metres in Jammu and Kashmir.