5 killed in avalanche, weather-related mishaps in J&K
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Jan 13: Two persons were killed in an avalanche in Ganderbal while, Kashmir valley received heaviest snowfall of the season today leading to cancellation of all flights from Srinagar Airport and disrupting the normal life.
Two bodies were recovered from Kalan- Gund in Kangan area of Ganderbal district from snow avalanche this evening. Click here to watch video
The bodies victims been identified as Mohammad Shafi Thakray and Showkat Ahmad, Thakray residents of Kulan-gund.
The rescue operation was underway as another person was still buried under the snow.
This was the heaviest snowfall of the season with Gulmarg receiving 5.5 feet of snowfall. Tangmarg 4 feet, Kunzar 3.5 feet, Boniyar 3.5 feet, Chandoosa 4.5 feet, Baramulla town 4 feet, Kupwara town 3.5 feet, Furkiyan Top 4.5 feet, Sadna Top 5 feet, Macchil 5.5 feet, Z-Gali 6 feet, Bandipora 2.5 feet, Gurez 4 feet, Razdhan Top 7 feet, Tulail 5 feet, Hajan 2 feet, Sumbal 2 feet and Pahalgam received 3.5 feet of snowfall since last night.
Fresh snowfall in Kashmir valley throughout the day led to the cancellation of flights at Srinagar airport today.
All flights were cancelled today due to heavy snowfall in Kashmir valley. “No flight could land or take-off at Srinagar airport today due to which hundreds of passengers couldn’t travel to their respective destinations,” an official said.
However, there was good news as Director MeT, Sonam Lotus, today said that weather will improve from tomorrow.
The fresh snowfall in Kashmir valley has damaged several houses in Uri, Handwara and Bandipora villages. Three houses have been partially damaged in Banali village of Boniyar due to snow slide in the area. There was a narrow escape of family members in these houses. Soon after the incident, the nearby people assembled and rescued the family members.
The house owners were identified as Syed Khan son of Abdul Khan, Ghulam Hassan Khan son of Ghulam Mohammad Khan and Ghulam Hassan Khan son of Mohammad Khan all residents of Banali
At Unisoo Handwara house of Mohammad Ramzan Mir son of Mohammad Sultan Mir was completely damaged and he has been shifted to the neighbours family for shelter.
The roof top of houses of Jalaludin Akber resident Lawdara and dozens of cowsheds were also damaged in Bandipora villages.
The snowfall and heavy rains led to massive disruption in traffic in Srinagar. Majority of the roads were waterlogged and slippery road conditions led to traffic mess since morning.
Massive traffic jams were witnessed everywhere. The worst affected area were Iqbal Park, Magarmal Bagh, Rajbagh, Abdullah bridge, Lal Chowk and other places as the vehicles were plying at snail’s pace due to slippery roads. It took hours for commuters to cover a few kilometer distance despite majority of the people sitting indoors due to inclement weather and hardly few vehicles plying on the roads.
The administration failed to clear the city’s roads properly that led to their slippery road conditions and vehicles being stuck in the middle of roads due to accumulation of snow.
The snowfall also led to disruption of power supply in North Kashmir and parts of Srinagar city and South Kashmir. However, in majority of Srinagar city power was restored but it was playing hide and seek.
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