Ragnarök Question Series: If a global catastrophe occurs, will it be due to either human-made climate change or geoengineering?
MetaculusDEC 26 2024
India: Avalanche Traps 57 Workers in Chamoli
Above: Rescuers carry BRO workers after an avalanche near Mana village in Chamoli district on Feb. 28, 2025. Image copyright: State Disaster Response Force (SDRF)/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Climate change has significantly increased avalanche frequency in the Himalayas. Warmer temperatures destabilize snowpack structures and alter precipitation patterns, making the region more vulnerable to such disasters than ever.
Narrative B
The incident highlights the critical importance of infrastructure development in border areas, where, despite challenging conditions, construction work must continue to maintain strategic readiness and support local communities.
Narrative C
The government converted a natural phenomenon into a tragic incident by ignoring the meteorological department's advisory on the possibility of avalanches, failing to take precautionary measures, and continuing construction activities in rough terrain.