NH remains closed, air traffic resumed
Doda, Kishtwar plunge into darkness
Fayaz Bukhari/Gopal Sharma
SRINAGAR/ JAMMU, Feb 8: Two policemen were rescued while dead bodies of seven others including 5 cops were recovered from the avalanche that struck at Jawahar Tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway last evening while one cop was still missing, whereas two persons were killed due to shooting stones in Ramban area and a boy was buried alive under avalanche in Chatroo area of Kishtwar.
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The air traffic was restored to Kashmir this afternoon while Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained closed for the third consecutive day today. Batote-Doda-Kishtwar highway could not be restored due to fresh landslides in Assar and Raggi Nallah area today.
Official sources said that some villagers along with SDRF and Police this morning launched massive rescue operation at Jawahar Tunnel by digging snow with the shovels and earthmovers they had bought along. They pulled bodies of five policemen and two civilians and rescued two cops in injured condition while one was still missing. They were buried under snow after an avalanche hit Jawahar Tunnel along Srinagar-Jammu highway last evening.
The rescuers comprising police, volunteers and member of SDRF besides security forces pulled out two persons alive from the Police posts who were buried under mounds of snow.
The rescuers faced a lot of difficulty in reaching the avalanche site this morning due to strong winds and heavy snow that had accumulated on the highway. Around 1000 locals joined the SDRF, Police and security forces in the rescue operation.
The locals were carrying shovels and three earthmovers that they used to clear the highway and dig the snow at the avalanche site. They protested against the administration and police and alleged that they delayed the rescue operation that led to death of the seven persons including 5 cops. They also raised slogans against the police and local administration.
Two survivors were located by the rescuers and they have been identified as Mohammed Khalil (SPO) of Dog Squad, Ghulam Nabi alias Gulzar.
Seven bodies were also retrieved and they include that of Fayaz Ahmad Parrey (Selection Grade Fireman, belt No. 1571), Firdous Ahmad (Head Constable of Fire Service, Driver No. 181), Constable Arshad Gul (1000/ Kgm), Head Constable Muzafer (125/ Kgm.), Shabnam of (Dog Squad) Kokernag, Vikram Singh, a civilian, son of Kalvender Singh of Salan Talab Udhampur and Baljeet Singh, civilian, son of Hari Singh of Dera Baba Nanak Gurdaspur Punjab. The duo were arrested two days back with narcotics at the Jawahar Tunnel.
One policeman, Parvez Ahmad (220/ Kgm) of Ganderbal is still missing and rescuers will resume operation tomorrow. They said that rescue operation was suspended due to darkness and inclement weather conditions in the area.
The avalanche had hit the north portal of Jawahar Tunnel on the Qazigund side in Kulgam district last evening.
The National Highway remained shut for third consecutive day today due to heavy snowfall in Jawahar Tunnel area and landslides in Ramban sector.
The main focus today remained on the rescue operation in Banihal Tunnel area and the road from Qazigund to Jawahar Tunnel has been cleared while one of the tubes of the tunnel on Northern side is still blocked.
The snow and avalanche clearance between Nowgam in Banihal and Jawahar tunnel is yet to be carried out and the Border Roads Organisation was waiting for improvement in weather conditions. However, they will clear the stretch tomorrow.
Authorities today rescued eight families from Nageenpora in Waltengo Nad areas of Kulgam district and took them to safer places.
With improvement in weather and sun coming out this morning, the air traffic resumed at Srinagar airport after two days. All the flight operated from the Srinagar Airport today and tomorrow two additional flights are being operated to clear the stranded passengers.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, today issued an avalanche warning for nine districts of Kashmir division.
The warning has been issued for the avalanche-prone areas in district Anantnag, Kulgam, Baramulla, Kupwara, Budgam, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kargil and Leh of Kashmir division.
Reports from Ramban said two persons were killed in shooting stones in Ramban area and a boy was buried alive under avalanche in Chhatroo area of Kishtwar.
The power supply to Doda-Bhaderwah- Kishtwar and many parts of Ramban, Udhampur and other snowbound areas has been snapped while water supply to Bhaderwah town, Gandoh-Bhalessa, Latti-Dudu- Basantgarh and many other snowbound areas has also been snapped. Over half a dozen transmission line towers have been broken in Batote, Doda, Thathri and Kishtwar area due to heavy snowfall and entire belt has been plunged into darkness.
A senior Police office from Ramban said that two persons who went missing while crossing land sliding zones at Anokhi Fall and Marog in Ramban area on Jammu -Srinagar National Highway last last evening, their dead bodies were recovered this morning.
They were identified as Parmod Makotia, son of Harbans Singh, resident of Nurpur in Himachal Paradesh, working as AAO in AG office Srinagar and Sanjit Lakra, son of Sudhir Lakra, resident of Central Doorast in West Bengal. He was working in private company in Kashmir.
Both were returning home by crossing landsliding area on foot. Both got trapped and were hit by shooting stones and killed. Their dead bodies were shifted to the mortuary of Ramban hospital. Their identity could be established from their Identity cards found in their pockets. One Raj Kumar Sahil, son of Late Amar Nath, resident of Pathankote was injured due to shooting stones at Marog Passi area and was removed to Ramban hospital.
Reports from Kishtwar said that 12-year-old Karan Singh, son of Ashok Kumar, resident of Drubeel village in Chhatroo area of Kishtwar went missing after avalanche hit the village. The body of the boy could be retrieved today morning. The boy went missing while returning from a marriage function last night. Another avalanche hit construction site at Pakal Dul Hydel project in Kishtwar. No loss of life was reported but some machinery was damaged in the incident.
IGP Traffic, J&K, Alok Kumar when contacted said that restoration work at many landsliding areas in Ramban and Banihal besides snow clearance work at Pir Panchal (Jawahar Tunnel area) was launched from both the sides. Kumar said he had aerial survey of these areas besides Jawahar Tunnel at both the portals where rescue operation was going on this morning. He said avalanche have hit road at two places Chakori Nallah and Shaitani Nallah besides both the portals of Jawahar Tunnel.
He said restoration work has been started at Maroog, Battery Chashma, Anokhi Fall, Mom Passi, Panthyal, Khooni Nallah, Nashri and other places but again fresh landslides and shooting stones were creating hurdles. The BEACON and HCC authorities have engaged their machines. If weather remained clear, it is hoped the highway will be restored tomorrow.
The IG Traffic further said that due to landslides at Assar and Khilenai Batote Kishtwar Road also remained closed. There is still heavy snow in Batote, Kud and Patnitop areas. The old road Chenani to Batote is also blocked. The restoration work has been launched on war footing and many oil /LPG tankers have been stranded in Kud area. The road is likely to be restored by tomorrow but it was slippery even up to Kud today. Doda-Bhaderwah road is also closed due to heavy snow and power and water supply was remained snapped for the last two days. In various lanes of Bhaderwah town more than 4 ft snow has been accumulated and snow could not be removed. Even in Kishtwar town also many roads and lanes are yet to be cleared.
Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar Angrez Singh Rana has placed Executive Engineer , Mech Div Kishtwar under suspension for non-clearance of snow from the roads. He said that despite pre-instructions the Executive Engineer has not taken cognizance and kept the public suffering. He said even Chatroo road could not be cleared even today despite clear weather. He directed the Additional DC Kishtwar Imam Din to hold inquiry and submit report within one week.
Reports from Banihal said that two high risk pregnant women were airlifted from SDH Banihal to SMGS Hospital Jammu after hectic efforts by the District Administration Ramban. Both Jameel Begum, wife of Raees Ahmed of snow clad Neel village and Shaida Begum, wife of Sajjad Ahmed from Nowgam, Banihal were shifted to Jammu hospital on the request of the family members and intervention of BMO/SDM Banihal.
Chief Engineer PDD , M&RE Jammu Sudhir Gupta said that over 200 electric transformers and scores of poles have been damaged besides transmission towers in Batote, Doda-Kishtwar area due to rain, land slides and heavy snowfall. He said the restoration work on the war footing has been launched and in many areas power supply has been restored.
Power in about 80% to 90% area has been restored in some pockets while rest will be cleared by tomorrow.
He said that power supply to Doda- Kishtwar will be restored partially by tomorrow as NHPC men are on the job. Power in Bani, Latti, Dudu-Basantgarh areas and other snow bound belts of Udhampur, Poonch and Reasi will be restored by tomorrow.
Reports said that more than two dozen houses in Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and Dudu-Basagartgarh Sub Divisions have been damaged due to heavy snowfall and avalanches. Some more reports are pouring in from various areas as the roads are still closed. Bani town in Kathua besides Machedi in Billawar were still cut off due to land slides and power supply was also snapped for the last two days.
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