Heavy snowfall across the Alps and Himalayas has prompted urgent safety warnings and rescue operations, as several regions are grappling with dangerous conditions.
On December 24, UK tourists visiting ski resorts in the Alps were alerted to a "danger to life" situation due to high risks of avalanches. Areas including Tignes, Verbier, and Flaine registered avalanche risks at 4 out of 5, reflecting significant chances of natural avalanche activity. This level, according to Meteo-France, typically occurs every three to eight years.
According to Henry’s Avalanche Talks (HAT), "Right now, in steep off-piste terrain, it’s about as dangerous as it gets.” They noted, “With over one metre of snow coupled with lots of wind, there’s now fragmented snow and the next 48 hours will be volatile.” Lifts resumed operations after necessary avalanche control; nevertheless, experts advised against skiing off-piste.
Meanwhile, in Slovenia, rescue teams located the body of a Hungarian hiker who went missing during the storm. After days of searching hampered by harsh weather, authorities confirmed the discovery of the man, who was found under more than two meters of snow at 1,700 meters elevation.
The rescue service stated, "We located the hiker 250 m lower from the accident site.” Days of strong winds and uncertainty kept helicopters grounded, making the search challenging. While one female hiker was rescued earlier, the fate of her companion remained tragic.
Heavy snow has not only threatened lives but has also disrupted daily life across the Balkans, resulting in thousands of power outages and forcing schools to close. Regions such as Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia experienced logistical chaos due to accumulated snow and traffic snarls.
Snowstorms began to develop across the Alps due to shifting weather patterns by December 21, as warm, moist air met colder alpine conditions, resulting in extended periods of snow. By Christmas Day, significant snow cover was reported across various ski towns, impacting accessibility and operations.
Ski resorts to the east, particularly Bulgaria, saw heavy snow leading to road closures and enforced shutdowns. Areas like Troyan, Samokov, and Teteven faced snowdrifts and outages, hampering holiday festivities.
Further, Himachal Pradesh, India, has seen severe weather consequences as heavy snowfall and cold waves battered the region. On Monday, snowfall resulted in four fatalities, with towns like Rohru and Sangla experiencing up to 24 cm of snow. Over 200 roads were closed, and rescue efforts were launched for thousands of vehicles stranded near the Atal tunnel.
According to the India Meteorological Department, heavy snowfall warnings extend across several districts, leading to the issuance of orange alerts for December 27 and 28. Citing significant temperature drops and expected weather changes, officials emphasized continued vigilance.
Shobhit Katiyar, Senior Scientist at the Himachal Pradesh Meteorological Department, described the scenario, saying, "Light to moderate rainfall is expected to persist until December 29." He noted rapidly decreasing temperatures and underscored the potential for adverse effects, including hailstorms.
Residents and travelers are advised to remain cautious, particularly on affected roads vulnerable to closures due to heavy snowfall. The challenge of managing snow and operational efficiency during the harsh winter months continues as both locals and authorities prepare for what lies ahead.
With winter advancing, the Alps and Himalayas brace for what seems to be another challenging weather phase, reminding everyone of the power of nature and the importance of safety amid the allure of the snowy peaks.
