Progress made in avalanche control
The damage caused by avalanches has decreased in the Alps over the last sixty years, according to a study by the Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research.
Researchers said the results were due to better methods of avalanche control and protection.
The study, released in November, said measures such as roadside barriers had contributed to the lower figures, as well as other protective methods, notably better management of forests.
The institute said progress had also been made in preparing for avalanches in the highest-risk areas. However, it added that improvements were still needed, particularly in the gathering and circulating of avalanche information.
The Davos-based organisation said it was currently testing a nationwide database which would in future be accessible by anyone requiring avalanche information.
swissinfo, Jean-Louis Thomas
In compliance with the JTI standards
More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.