SRINAGAR: One skier has been killed and seven others rescued safely after an avalanche hit Affarwat peak in famous ski-destination Gulmarg on Thursday afternoon. 

An official told GNS that a wide-scale rescue operation was launched after a massive avalanche hit Khilan Marg on Affarwat peak, trapping eight foreign skiers. 

“The rescue operation saw the recovery of body of one skier, whose identity is being ascertained, besides safe recovery of seven other trapped skiers,” the official said, adding “Initially one among the trapped skiers couldn’t be found and to ensure his early retrieval chopper services were also pressed in.” 

“Luckily the missing skier was also found although he has received some injuries and is being treated upon,” the official said. 

 When contacted, Secretary J&K Sports Council Nuzhat Gull told GNS that there was no hampering caused to ongoing ‘Khelo India’ games, underway at the ski-destination since yesterday. 

“All the Khelo India athletes are safe and they are back to their hotels after successful completion of scheduled fixtures in Kangdori,” Gull said. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: An avalanche has blocked the passage of the Sindh river in the Kangan belt and flooded the road. Machines have been deployed to clear the passage so that traffic does not suffer disruptions of the strategic highway.

Reports said an avalanche hit the Sidh river near Hung area and blocked the passage. “Its water is flowing on the main road as the level of the river and the road is same,” a senior engineer said. “We have deployed machines to clear the block so that water course resumes its routine.”

The Mechanical Engineering Department Kashmir has swiftly deployed machinery to initiate clearing operations, aiming to restore normalcy and ensure safety along the affected route.

Hung is a famous rock-climbing spot, a few kilometres short of Sonamarg.

A senior engineer from the area said the avalanche has hit the area last night and completely blocked the water channel. “The entire river is diverted,” the officer said, “The road is under water.”

The engineer said the Border Roads Organisation is working to clear the blockage. “It is a huge avalanche and will take a bit of time,” he said.

SRINAGAR: Authorities on Thursday issued medium danger level avalanche warning in eight districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Avalanche with MEDIUM Danger Level is likely to occur above 2400 meters above sea level over Bandipora, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch and Ramban districts in next 24 hours,” officials of J-K Disaster Management Authority said.

People living in these areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche prone areas till further orders, officials added.

Notably, Jammu and Kashmir experienced a much-awaited relief from its month-long dry spell as two significant western disturbances swept through the region by the end of January, bringing snow and rain.

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) on Friday issued an avalanche alert over higher reaches in three  districts for next 24 hours.

The DMA, as per GNS, said that a ‘low’ danger level avalanche is likely to occur above 2800 to 3000 metres above sea level over Ganderbal, Baramulla and Kupwara districts.

People living in these areas have been in the meantime advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche prone areas till further orders. (GNS)

SRINAGAR:  JCB operator, engaged with clearance of snow over Sinthan Top, a popular mountain pass located between Breng Valley in Kokernag in Anantnag district and Kishtwar district of Chenab Valley, died after he came under an avalanche on Tuesday, official sources said.

They said that a number of JCBs were engaged to clear snow in the area and suddenly an avalanche occurred, sweeping them away. While a few, working as operators, managed their way out, a few were swept away. Immediately a massive rescue operation was launched under supervision of Tehsidar Larnoo along with SHO Larnoo.

So far the body of one JCB operator has been recovered while searches are underway for possible missing person(s), they said.  

An officer of the administration told GNS that initial reports suggest that two persons among those engaged for snow clearance were missing but exact details are still being verified. “Rescue operation is still underway and we are trying to locate any missing person.”  

Meanwhile, the officer identified the deceased JCB operator as Javid Ahmad Zagoo (35) son of Abdul Aziz Zagoo of Larnoo. (GNS)