SRINAGAR: A fire has broken out in a hotel in famous tourist resort Gulmarg in Baramulla district.

An F&ES official told GNS that they received information about the fire outbreak in a hotel ‘Pine Palace Platinum’ this morning. “We have sent the men and machinery to the site, though given the intensity of the blaze, it may take time to put out the raging flames.”

The rescue operation continued, when this report was being filed.

More details awaited. (GNS)

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: Barring Gulmarg, minimum temperature recorded a slight rise in Kashmir Valley with Srinagar recording minus 3.7°C on Saturday, officials said.   

A meteorological department official here told GNS Srinagar recorded a rise of 1.2°C compared to previous night's minus 4.9°C and it was 1.6°C below normal for the summer capital of J&K for this time of the year.

Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 4.0°C against minus 5.0°C on the previous night, he said. The minimum temperature was 0.7°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, the MeT official said.

Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 5.5°C against minus 6.3°C on the previous night and it was 1.7°C above normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum of minus 2.0°C against minus 1.4°C on the previous night and the temperature was above normal by 1.9°C for the place, the official said.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 4.7°C against minus 5.0°C on the previous night and it was 1.6°C below normal there, the official said.

Gulmarg, the official said, recorded a low of minus 4.6°C against minus 3.6°C on the previous night and the temperature was 3.1°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir.

Jammu, he said, recorded a minimum of 5.9°C against 5.0°C on the previous night, and it was below normal by 1.2°C for the winter capital of J&K.

Banihal recorded a low of minus 1.4°C, Batote 1.9°C and Bhaderwah minus 0.4°C, he said.

The MeT has forecast for light snow at isolated higher reaches on January 25 and light rain and snow over scattered places for subsequent two days in Jammu and Kashmir.

 “Dry weather is likely to continue till January 24 with generally cloudy on 20th evening,” the official said.

On January 25, he said, light snow at isolated higher reaches was expected while from January 26-28, light rain and snow was expected over scattered places.

 “As per indications of different models, there is possibility of light to moderate rain/snow at many places very likely from January 29-31,(Detailed information will be shared in coming days),” he said 

The MeT department also forecast redevelopment of moderate to dense fog and fall in day temperature over Jammu Division during next three days.

Kashmir valley is under ‘Chillai-Kalan’, the 40-day harsh period of winter, which will end on January 29. However it does not mean an end to the winter. It is followed by a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ that occurs between January 30 and February 19 and a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) which is from February 20 to March 1. (GNS)