An Army officer and four civilians were killed in avalanches triggered by massive snowfall in Kashmir Valley on Wednesday, while another civilian was killed when the roof of his house caved in because of the pile-up of snow.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department, Kashmir, has warned of the possibility of avalanches in the higher reaches as more snowfall is expected in 24 hours.
Earlier, a massive avalanche hit the base camp of the High Altitude Warfare School at Sonamarg on the Srinagar-leh National Highway, burying alive a group of soldiers. While eight jawans were rescued, an officer of the 115-Territorial Army, Major Amit Sagar, could not be saved.
Defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia denied reports that five soldiers were buried by the avalanche.
In the second incident, four members of a family including 19-year-old girl died after an avalanche hit their house in Tulail area of north Kashmir’s Gurez Valley along the line of Control.
Sources said the avalanche hit the wooden house of Habibullah lone at Badugam Village in Bandipora district early on Wednesday morning, smashing it. One male member of the family who could be rescued is in a critical condition.
In Kupwara’s Kralpora Village, Abdul Gani died, while his son was injured when the roof of their house collapsed under the weight of the snow. Two houses collapsed in Rafiabad belt of north Kashmir also but there were no reported casualties.
Director, Meteorological Department Sonam lotus said, “The danger of avalanches will increase as we are expecting more snow in the next 24 hours in Kashmir.” He asked people living in Gurez, Keran, Machil, Uri and Sonamarg to be vigilant.
Meanwhile, the third spell of snowfall this month has affected normal life as surface and air links between Kashmir Valley and the outside world remained suspended for the second-consecutive day. Vehicular movement remained suspended on the vital Srinagar-Jammu National Highway as more snowfall hampered the efforts of highway restoration. All flights to and from the Srinagar International Airport also remained suspended on Wednesday.
In capital Srinagar, fresh snowfall has disrupted inter-district road connectivity between Srinagar and other district headquarters. The main roads and other district headquarters were cleared in the morning. However, reports from rural areas and interiors of Srinagar city said link roads remained closed due to snow accumulation. Electricity supply in the Valley has been affected. The authorities are working round the clock to ensure supply of essential items, services besides restoration of electricity.
The divisional administration of Kashmir, has appealed people not to worry and take safety measures.