*Army rescues 80 students, staff in Banihal
Fayaz Bukhari/Gopal Sharma
SRINAGAR/JAMMU, Feb 22: A Russian skier was killed while seven others were rescued in Gulmarg area, the worker of a construction company was buried alive in a landslide near Ramban while 80 students were rescued by Army from snow-storm area in Banihal, whereas Jammu -Srinagar National Highway was partially restored today.
Reports said an avalanche hit the Kongdoori area of Gulmarg today in which a group of Russian skiers was trapped. Seven skiers and a local, were trapped in the avalanche. A massive rescue operation was immediately launched, during which one of the foreign skiers, was found dead while others were rescued safely.
The deceased was identified as Hanten from Moscow in Russia and his body was taken to the Sub-district hospital, Tangmarg where his post-mortem was conducted.
Chief Executive Officer, Gulmarg Development Authority, Waseem Raja, said that a collaborative effort between the Gulmarg Ski Patrol of Tourism Department and Police resulted in the successful rescue of a group comprising six Russian skiers and one local guide, following an avalanche at the higher reaches of Gulmarg, known as Army Ridge.
“Despite the valiant efforts of the rescue team, one Russian skier tragically lost his life due to the avalanche. Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of the deceased during this difficult time,” he said. Click here to watch video
“It is important to note that the avalanche site is located far from the Kongdoori area, where the 4th Khelo India Winter Games are currently underway. The ongoing sporting events remain unaffected by the incident,” the official said.
“The rescued individuals are currently under the care of the district administration, receiving basic medical treatment. One skier sustained minor injuries but is in stable condition and receiving treatment at a local hospital. The response and coordinated efforts of the rescue team, ski- patrol, and police played a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of those affected by this unfortunate incident,” he added.
The last avalanche in Gulmarg was in February last year, when two Polish skiers were killed and over a dozen were rescued.
Avalanches are very common in Gulmarg. In 2010, at least 17 soldiers were killed after an avalanche hit the Army’s High Altitude Warfare School Gulmarg.
An official said that all necessary measures have been taken for the safety of the athletes taking part in the Khelo India.
“The avalanche that hit the Khilanmarg area of Gulmarg earlier this afternoon has not impacted athletes taking part in ski and snowboard events of Khelo India Winter Games 2024 at Kongdoori Phase 1. All necessary precautions have been taken for safety,” the official added.
Meanwhile, reports from Ramban said that a worker from CPPL Construction Company, identified as Deshpaul (31), a resident of Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, was hit by the landslide outside his company headquarters near Seri in Ramban around 8.30 am today.
They said the deceased was moving towards the mess of the company for breakfast when the incident occurred. His body was retrieved from the debris and shifted to hospital for postmortem.
Another person was injured when an Alto car (JK04B/0996) was hit by shooting stones in Banihal area last evening. He was on way to Batote from Srinagar. The injured was identified as Shabir Ahmed Hajam from Batote. He was provided treatment at Banihal hospital.
An official of the Traffic Police said that Jammu-Srinagar highway remained closed for the fourth day following a fresh landslide at Kishtwari Pather near Banihal till this evening. It was partially restored at around 5:30 pm for one- way traffic. The stranded vehicles were being cleared in first phase, he added.
The traffic on the strategic highway was suspended on Monday following multiple landslides triggered by heavy rains at over a dozen places between Nashri Tunnel and Banihal.
The highway was cleared for partial one-way traffic on Wednesday but the fresh landslide at Kishtwari Pather blocked the road again hardly after one and half hour, the official said.
Meanwhile, after a heavy snow storm and landslide, Army troops rescued over 80 students and faculty staff who found themselves stranded on the Jammu-Srinagar highway.
Defence sources said that heavy snowfall and road-blocks caused by landslides on Wednesday left many commuters stranded along the treacherous Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, among them were 74 students of a Law College and seven of its staff members, the officials said.
Army troops acted swiftly and rescued the panicked staff and students of the Rajasthan Law College from NH-44, which was blocked.
Professor Kalpesh Nikawat, Principal of Mohan Lal Sukhadia University, Udaipur hailed the Indian Army for its rescue feat.
“I have no words to express my thanks to the Army which came forward for our rescue in such inclement weather and provided food and shelter to us…Hats off to Army,” Professor Nikawat said.
He said the students and the staff had a wonderful trip to Kashmir but got stranded in Qazigund for three days due to closure of Jammu-Srinagar highway amid heavy snowfall.
“A landslide occurred just 500 metres in front of our vehicle after crossing Banihal, leaving us frightened,” one of the students said.
Praising the Army, Professor Priyadarshi Nagda said the Army personnel responded to their desperate call for help within a couple of hours and provided blankets, food and shelter to the students and the staff.
One of the students, Ashutosh, who was also caught in the snow storm, said he was thankful to the army for their support, calling his stay at the army camp home-like.
Meanwhile, night temperature plummeted in Kashmir with Gulmarg recording minus 10.4°C.
Srinagar recorded a low of minus 1.0°C and it was below normal by 1.9°C for the city for this time of the year.
Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 4.4°C against 0.0°C the previous night and it was 4.3°C below normal, Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 8.6°C against minus 1.6°C on the previous night,
Kokernag minus 5.4°C against minus 3.4°C on the previous night and the temperature was below normal by 4.7°C for the place, Kupwara minus 3.1°C against minus 0.4°C the previous night while
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 10.4°C against minus 9.4°C the previous night. The temperature was below normal by 3.7°C for the skiing resort.
The weatherman has forecast mainly dry weather till February 26. “No significant weather activity till 26th Feb. From February 27-29, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain/snow at scattered to fairly widespread places,” the weatherman added.
While ‘Chillai-Kalan’, the 40-day harsh period of winter ended on January 29 and 20-day-long winter period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ ended on February 18, Kashmir is in the middle of 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) which will end on Feb 28.
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