Study of Some Debris Avalanches in Garwal Himalaya, India

This study was carried out in the Alaknanda - Dhauliganga catchment area, located in the north and northeast of Joshimath in the Garfiwal Himalaya. The snow fields, cirques and the related glaciers are located above the altitude approximate 4000 meters, while the river valley have a mean altitude of around 2000 meters. The strategic roads viz. Joshimath-Badrinath and Joshimath-Nitipass pass through this area with a number of villages along with their cultivated land are located along the roads. These roads are often blocked on huge debris avalanches not only damage the road, but also the cultivated land and forests. The geological studies has indicated the presence of a major thrust viz, Main Central Thrust (M.C.T.) in this area, with highly deformed rocks. Most of the zones with frequent debris avalanches do not follow the thrust zones etc. The glaciers have been studied on the basis of aerial photographs and landset imageries. It appears although most of the glaciers are slowly receding back, are located in the crest of Badrinath is apparently static and many crevasses etc., are formed and slumping is taking place. The slumped mass of Ice is pushing the moraines down in the valley and large scale debris avalanches are causes on the Joshimath-Badrinath roa