Fate of 6 missing persons in Warwan still unknown
Gopal Sharma/Fayaz Bukhari
JAMMU/ SRINAGAR, Feb 24: Six missing persons in snowbound area of Morgan Top in Warwan tehsil of Kishtwar remained untraced even after second day today while the holy shrine of Mata Vaishnodevi, Patnitop and several hilly areas of J&K received fresh snowfall during last night as flight operations were resumed at Srinagar airport with the improvement of weather.
Official sources that the UT Administration has launched three pronged rescue operations sto trace six missing villagers from Kishtwar. But rescue operation using helicopters in snowbound Morgan Top and Warwan area could not be launched due to bad weather. An Army column along with some locals is advancing to the area from Anantnag side despite 10-12 ft snow and high danger of avalanches. Tomorrow, the Air Force and NDRF teams would join operation as the weather improves.
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Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Ashok Sharma told the Excelsior that choppers remained ready for sorties to the snowbound area of Morgan Top and Warwan but could not fly due to bad weather. He said from Anantnag side, this area is about 32 kms. About 12 kms road was cleared today by using machines and cutters by Mechanical wing of PW(R&B) and NHIDCL authorities. Tomorrow again, the road clearance work will be resumed. But there is heavy snow in the area and also high risk of avalanches.
Sharma said in Morgan Top area, there is more than 12 ft snow this time and rescue and search operation is very difficult. Aerial recce of the area is being launched tomorrow morning. There is PWD facility/small guest house along this route. If they will be taking shelter there then they will be safe. Moreover, there is no Mobile network as well in this remote mountainous area, the Deputy Commissioner added.
These six villagers went missing when they were going to their homes from Anantnag side on foot. Their families received last call at around 9 pm on Tuesday when they were crossing Morgan Top. Thereafter, no contact could be established with them and the families approached district Administration Kishtwar for help. They were said to be working as labourers in Himachal Pradesh and were returning their homes via Anantnag. As per family sources, these missing persons are-Ajaz Ahmed Koka, Mohd Akbar Koka, Ghulam Nabi, Gulzar Ahmed, Manzoor Ahmed and Idrees Ahmed, all residents of village Choidraman in Warwan Tehsil of Kishtwar. They had started from Matti Gawran at around 1 pm on Tuesday on foot for their village in Warwan.
Meanwhile, the famous shrine of Katra Mata Vaishnodevi in Trikuta hills received fresh snowfall last night. There was about 7-8 inch snow at Bhawan while nearly 1 ft at Bhairon Ghati. Patnitop, Natha Top and several other hilly areas of the region also received fresh snowfall last night.
The chopper service to Mata Vaishnodevi from base camp Katra and battery car service from Adkunwari to Bhawan also remained suspended on the second day today due to snowfall and bad weather. The movement of Yatris on new track also remained suspended while pilgrimage was allowed through old track. The authorities restored Reasi-Mahore and Mahore-Sungri-Budhal roads today.
Reports from Srinagar said the flight operation was restored today in Kashmir with the Meteorological department forecasting light to moderate rain and snowfall at scattered places across the Valley tomorrow.
Although the flight operations resumed at Srinagar International Airport, eight flights were cancelled due to poor visibility.
Director Airport Authority, Srinagar, Kuldeep Singh said that eight flights were cancelled today.
He said that 38 flights operated today adding that the passengers of the cancelled flights will be accommodated in next available flight of the concerned airline. He said that there will be no charges for rescheduling and the passenger can also exercise the option of full refund.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was restored for one way traffic today and over 3000 stranded vehicles on both the sides were cleared by this evening. There were a few traffic disruptions in Ramban sector during the day due to shooting stones but movement of traffic was allowed from both the sides after road clearance. The traffic restrictions would continue for couple of days due to road condition, a Traffic Police official said.
“LMVs/private cars from Nagrota (Jammu) at 0600 hrs to 1200 hrs, from Jakheni (Udhampur) at 0700 hrs to 1300 hrs & from Navyug Tunnel (Qazigund side) 0600 hrs to 1200 hrs will be allowed (subject to change depending on the road position). No vehicle shall be allowed before and after cut off timings,” the official said.
He further said that subject to fair weather and better road conditions, HMVs shall be allowed from Navyug Tunnel (Qazigund side) towards Jammu after assessing the traffic situation on highway.
Meanwhile, the weatherman here has forecast moderate rain and snowfall in Kashmir tomorrow, saying that there is possibility of light to moderate rain/snow at scattered places of J&K tomorrow.
The MeT officials said that the weather would remain mainly dry from tomorrow evening till the end of February.
In the meantime, the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) today said that nearly 90 per cent of electricity across the Valley has been restored.
Managing Director, KPDCL, Dr Basharat Qayoom said that almost 98 per cent of the electricity has been restored in Srinagar district while some local outages are there within the district, which will be restored while shortly. More than 950 11kv feeders stand restored while restoration work is on in remaining areas.
Dr Basharat further stated that almost 85-90 per cent electricity has been restored, adding that the major damage has occurred in Kulgam where it would take some more time to complete the restoration process.
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