The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently demonstrated its advancements in military technology by successfully test-firing an indigenously developed 500Kg class Inertial Guided Bomb from a Su-30 MKI Aircraft. This event was staged at the Pokhran test range in Rajasthan. Shortly after, a tragic development unfolded on Mount Everest as three more Indian climbers lost their lives, raising the number of Indian casualties this hiking season to eight.
DRDO’s Guided Bomb Test Fire
The DRDO made an impressive stride towards fortifying India’s defense capabilities by conducting a successful test fire of a homegrown 500Kg class Inertial Guided Bomb. Launched from a Su-30 MKI Aircraft, the weapon system showcased its versatility by proving it can carry different types of warheads. Further emphasizing its precision and efficiency, the guided bomb attained the set range and struck the designated target with great accuracy. An interesting detail to note is that this successful experiment occurred just two days after the Indian Air Force (IAF) had another triumph when it launched the aerial version of the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile from a Sukhoi jet based at the Andaman and Nicobar islands.
Traffic Jam on Mount Everest: A Deadly Challenge For Climbers
Turning to a grim subject, the perilous conditions on Mount Everest have claimed three more Indian climbers, escalating the total number of Indian fatalities this season to eight. Straddling the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and peaking at an elevation of 8,850 metres, Mount Everest holds the title for the world’s highest mountain. The death toll of climbers recorded since 1922 totals over 200.
| Mountain | Elevation | First Climber’s Death Recorded | Total Deaths Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Everest | 8,850 metres | 1922 | Over 200 |
Dangers of Heavy Traffic on Everest
Currently, one of the most pressing issues leading to fatalities on Mount Everest is the heavy traffic. Climbers are facing ‘traffic jams’ due to favourable weather conditions attracting a multitude of climbers trying to make it to the summit simultaneously. This congestion, which primarily occurs at the last ridge from the southern Nepali side where a single fixed rope is available, creates two lines of people, one ascending and one descending. Navigating through the crowd in an area that sits above 8,000 meters – ominously known as the ‘death zone’ – has proven to be a dangerous bottleneck. In such traffic, exhausted climbers find themselves idling for several hours awaiting their turn to ascend or descend on the single rope. This waiting period heightens the risk of exhaustion, frostbite, and altitude sickness among climbers. Moreover, the delay could deplete the oxygen supplies of climbers during the crucial final leg of the ascent.
