Avalanches are being detonated in the foothills of the Kuznetsk Alatau by the Russian Railway (KraskRZhD) to prevent any potential disruptions to the rail service.
Rewritten Article:
In the Kuznetsk Alatau mountains, the Trans-Siberian Railway, like any other spring, gears up for artificial avalanche control to prevent these natural disasters from disrupting tracks.
Across the Trans-Siberian highway from Biskemitz to Medyuarechyenk, a staggering 18 potentially hazardous sections pose a threat of snowslide catastrophe. The most avalanche-prone stretch on this route is the Lujba - Charysh pass, situated on the border between Kemerovo Oblast and Khakassia. They even conducted preventive blasts there.
Work was carried out on a 2-kilometer stretch of track situated close to the snow-laden hills, amidst the towering Alatau range and the River Tom'.
Specialists at the anti-avalanche station reported a concerning amount of snow had accumulated on the slopes, which, with the sudden March thaw, might as well tumble onto the tracks at any moment. The snow cover towered at 2 meters high.
Here's a video of avalanche control on the Southern Line of the Trans-Siberian Railway:
Blasts were set off during maintenance windows when no trains were in motion. Approximately 15,000 cubic meters of snow slid off the cliffs and, for the most part, fell into special snow-catching trenches beneath the mountainside. Any snow that landed on the tracks was swiftly cleared using machinery.
Around-the-clock surveillance of the situation continues: track inspectors scrutinize the area 24/7.
Images and videos courtesy of Trans-Siberian Railway.
The Kuznetsk Alatau section isn't the sole avalanche-prone region along the Trans-Siberian Railway. Other challenging areas, including those crossing mountainous regions such as the Sayan Mountains and the Altai Mountains, can also be susceptible to avalanches. These regions often experience severe winter conditions with heavy snowfall, which increases the risk of avalanches. Consult local railway authorities or geological services for up-to-date information on specific avalanche risk zones and management practices.
- The news about the Trans-Siberian Railway's avalanche control in the Kuznetsk Alatau mountains is concerning, as other avalanche-prone sections, such as those in the Sayan Mountains and the Altai Mountains, also pose a threat.
- Climate-change and environmental-science experts have highlighted the increasing risk of avalanches in regions like the Sayan Mountains and the Altai Mountains due to severe winter conditions and heavy snowfall.
- Besides the 18 potentially hazardous sections on the Trans-Siberian Railway from Biskemitz to Medyuarechyenk, there are more avalanche-prone regions along the route, including the regions crossing the Sayan Mountains and the Altau Mountains.
- Specialists at the anti-avalanche station in the Kuznetsk Alatau section reported that the snow cover in their area towered at 2 meters high, similar to the snow levels in challenging regions like the Sayan Mountains and the Altai Mountains.
- Trains traversing the Trans-Siberian Railway should be mindful of avalanche risks in certain sections, such as the 18 sections between Biskemitz and Medyuarechyenk, as well as regions like the Sayan Mountains and the Altai Mountains, where the threat of avalanches is high due to severe winter conditions and heavy snowfall.
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