7 Dead In Sikkim Avalanche: Here Is A List Of Deadly Snowslides That Hit India In Recent Years

A deadly avalanche on Tuesday killed seven tourists in Sikkim's Nathu La mountain pass. Here’s a list of snowslides that have hit India in recent years taking the lives of many.

Avalanches that hit India in recent years

Source : PTI

Avalanches In India: A deadly avalanche on Tuesday killed seven tourists in Sikkim's Nathu La mountain pass. Rescue operations began as soon as the news hit, and the authorities and BRO officials rushed to rescue tourists. More than 150 vacationers were reported to be in the area when the avalanche hit. At least 50 more tourists were stuck till 3 pm. According to officials, the army, state police, and local volunteers had rushed to their aid. 

However, the operation was suspended after another slide at the same location was reported at 5:35 pm on Tuesday. 

Several incidents of snowslides that have hit India in recent years taking the lives of many and casting aspersions on the safety of tourists coming in the hilly areas. Here’s a list. 

 GULMARG, JAMMU AND KASHMIR (FEBRUARY 2023) 

A massive avalanche had hit the popular Gulmarg ski resort in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district in February this year killing two Polish skiers while 21 others were rescued.  The incident occurred on Feb 1, 2023. 

Reportedly, four people, including two foreign skiers and two guides were reported missing in the incident. 

UTTARKASHI, UTTARAKHAND (OCTOBER 2022) 

At least 16 people had died, including trainee mountaineers, after an avalanche hit Uttarkashi’s Matli in Uttarakhand on October 04, 2022. 

Several bodies were retrieved from Draupadi's Danda II mountain peak in Uttarkashi’s Matli. A group of 41 mountaineers from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) participating in a training course were trapped under the snow. 

KAMENG, ARUNACHAL PRADESH (FEBRUARY 2022) 

A severe avalanche had killed seven Indian soldiers in the Kameng region of Arunachal Pradesh near the China border on February 06, 2022. Their bodies were recovered after days of rescue operation in the area which is located at an altitude of 14,500 feet. 

CHAMOLI, UTTARAKHAND (APRIL 2021) 

On April 23, 2021, at least eight people had died in an avalanche triggered after a glacier broke close to the India-China border in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli on April 23, 2021. More than 380 people were rescued. It was caused due to the collapse of a glacier beyond Sumna on the Sumna-Rimkhim road where labourers were engaged in road construction work, reported the Jagran. 

CHAMOLI, UTTARAKHAND (FEBRUARY 2021) 

In Uttarakhand's Chamoli, at least 80 people were killed while over 200 were reported missing after part of a glacier broke away on February 7, 2021. The avalanche swept away the Rishiganga hydroelectric project and damaged a bigger project further down the Dhauliganga river. The disaster was reported as one of the worst tragedies of the year.  

The avalanche caused flash floods destroying structures and properties in the state. The 13.2 MW Rishi Ganga hydel project was totally destroyed and the Tapovan-Vishnugad hydel project suffered massive damage.