DRDO Set up Avalanche Warning System for Safer High-Mountain Passes in Zoji La ,Kashmir

Defense News ,India :- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is creating a smart system to keep people safe from avalanches in the mountains. They're putting special sensors in a place called Zoji La, which is a very high mountain pass in Kashmir. This pass is on the road from Srinagar to Leh.

Now, let's break down what this system does in simpler terms. The DRDO is using something called infrasonic sensors. These sensors can hear sounds or feel vibrations that are too low for humans to notice. They're like super-sensitive ears that can pick up signals from avalanches. 

The plan is to set up a bunch of these sensors in key locations along the Sonamarg–Zojila–Tangdhar route. This area is known for having avalanches, which are dangerous snow slides. By having these sensors in place, the system will be able to detect if an avalanche is happening and keep an eye on the situation.

But it's not just about having sensors. There will also be devices to process and send the information collected by these sensors. Think of it like this – the sensors hear something, then they tell the system what's happening, and the system lets people know. The Defence Geo-informatics Research Establishment (DGRE) in Chandigarh is the group in charge of making sure everything works smoothly.

DGRE is like the brain of the operation. It will get all the information from the sensors and figure out if there's any danger. Once they know what's going on, they'll share that information with the people who need to know, like the government agencies and the folks responsible for keeping everyone safe in those areas.

This whole project is really important because Zoji La is a tricky place. It's super high up – around 11,575 feet high – and it's in the Kargil district, known for its tough terrain. The pass is closed during the winter because there's so much snow, and it's not safe for people to travel. 

But here's the thing – this pass is really important for getting to Ladakh from Jammu. Ladakh is a beautiful place, but it's a bit tricky to reach because of the tough terrain. So, the government is building a long tunnel under the pass. This tunnel will be about 14 kilometers long! That's like driving from one end of a big city to another. Once it's done, it will be the longest tunnel in Asia that goes in two directions.

The best part is that this tunnel will make the journey much faster. Right now, it takes more than three hours to cross the pass, but with the tunnel, it will only take about 20 minutes. That's a huge improvement, and it will make it possible for people to travel to Ladakh even in the winter when there's a lot of snow.

In summary, the DRDO is using smart technology to keep an eye on avalanches in Zoji La. They're putting special sensors in place to detect any danger, and a team in Chandigarh will process this information to keep everyone safe. This is especially important because Zoji La is a crucial pass, and the upcoming tunnel will make it easier for people to travel to Ladakh.