Interaction Program on Tragic Snow Avalanche on the Sagarmatha Base Camp

The Himalayan Cryosphere Climate and Disaster Research Center (HiCCDRC), KU, Dhulikhel, organized an interaction program The main invitees to the program included Mr. Krishna Lamsal, Under Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTA);  Mr. Sujan Subedi, Meteorologist from Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MoSTE); Mr. Ang Tshering Sherpa and Dr. Nima Sherpa from Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), Mr. Pemba Gyalje Sherpa and Mr. Dorjee Lama Sherpa from Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA), and Lhakpa Sherpa from Nepal Mountain Instructors Association (NMIA). Besides, researchers and students from KU also participated in the interaction program.

The program started with one-minute silence to pay respect to the departed souls in the tragic snow avalanche (which had occurred in the early morning of 18 April 2014 at the Sagarmatha Base Camp killing 13 Sherpas, missing 3 and injuring six other Sherpas). Dr. Rijan Bhakta Kayastha, Glaciologist and Coordinator of MS by Research in Glaciology program at KU and Miss Sonam Futi Sherpa, student at the same research program, presented about the basics of snow avalanche, its causes and ways to avoid its occurrence.

Representatives from NMA, NNMGA and NMIA also highlighted their activities regarding the snow avalanche and other mountain safety techniques.

Dr. Kayastha recommended setting up an Avalanche Monitoring Group (AMG) comprising representatives from MoCTA, MoSTE, Ministry of Home Affairs, NMA and Nepal Tourism Board, including experts such as glaciologists, meteorologists and geologists. The task of the group was proposed to be as follows:

•   Carry out avalanche risk assessment in major mountain peak areas,

• dentify avalanche-prone areas,
• Analyze the snowfall and weather,
• Inspect/monitor the avalanche-prone areas before dispatching mountain workers and climbers in the area (field members using binoculars, helicopter),
• Carry out adaptation and mitigation measures (remove unstable layers, blasting accumulated snow),
• Form rapid search and rescue team.

 

All participants of the interaction program agreed to form the AMG and to work through such a group to try to avoid such accidents in the future. A special request was made to NMA to initiate the formation of AMG coordinating concerned ministries and other agencies.