A team of locals and police personnel that went for field observation in those areas informed that deep cracks have been noticed in various mountains and these could trigger avalanches in the lower parts of Mustang.
The observer team coordinated by Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) included police, members of a local youth club and and office bearers of the conservation area management committee. They claimed to have reached to the altitude of around 5,000 meters and concluded that possibility of avalanches is high as the snow in the mountains is melting rapidly due to scorching summer heat.According to police constable Sarvajeet Gurung of Chonhup Police Office, cracks were noticed in tall peaks around the four glacial lakes in Upper Mustang. "Although the ice in the peaks are as hard as rock, we found that many peaks surrounding those lakes have developed deep cracks."
There are four glacial lakes in the area -- Gyaka, Chho-Longyo, Chuhama and Hosryang. Gurung said the team was further divided into two teams. They took five days to complete their observation. "Even at present, rocks and ice in the weaker sections are continuously falling. Caves have also formed in some cracked areas. However, the upper parts of the caves can fall down anytime," he said.
"If by chance an avalanche occurs in Upper Mustang, it will cause considerable damage in lower Mustang as well. Hence, we have told the locals of lower Mustang to remain on high alert," added Gurung.
Social worker Indradhara Bista, a local of Lo Manthang, said that areas on the Tibetan side more risk from the avalanches than the Nepalese side. "We cannot afford to ignore the risks. People should remain on high alert."
According to her, the first village to be affected in the event of an avalanche is Kimling of Chonhup, a village with around 75 households. Similarly, Gyangel and Samjong of Choser VDC and Dehi of Surkhang are also at high risk. "There is higher risk of avalanche than of glacial lake outburst flooding," she said.
Kushan Dherkay Gurung, Treasurer of Himalayan Mountain Youth Club, who had also accompanied the monitoring team, said the quake have greatly weakened the upper parts of Mustang. "There are various bad cracks and snows of the weakened section are also melting rapidly, which multiplies the chance of triggering avalanche," he said.
Similarly, Tshering Dindu Gurung, vice-chairman of the youth club, said there is risk of flooding in the Kimling River with the snow melting rapidly. He said the locals of nearby settlements should take necessary precautions.
Santosh Sherchan, chief of ACAP, Mustang acknowledged the findings of the overserver teams and urged necessary preventive action against the looming danger.
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