Temp drops across J&K; air, train services improve
*Army rescues pregnant woman in Ramban
Gopal Sharma
SRINAGAR/JAMMU, Jan 15: Authorities rescued and evacuated 172 workers stranded in an avalanche area at Zojila Tunnel construction site last night, a worker died due to landslide in Kishtwar area today while with the improvement in foggy weather condition, the train and air services have improved in the region.
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Official sources said that workers of a construction company, Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL), got stuck in a major avalanche near Sarbal Nilagrar in Sonamarg on Saturday.
The rescue teams of the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police swung into action and after hours of gruelling effort 172 workers were brought to safety. The Army pressed into effect avalanche rescue equipment and rescue dogs.
A low-intensity avalanche struck the Sarbal area in the Ganderbal district of Kashmir on Saturday.
Another report said that a villager engaged on road construction work, was killed as he came under landslide on Kontwara road in Kishtwar district today. During construction of road, blasting work was being carried out in Chatternag area which triggered heavy landslide. A worker of the contractor came under it, while three others had miraculous escape.
Soon after the mishap, rescue operation was launched and senior officers from district administration Kishtwar rushed to the spot along with Police, SDRF and Red Cross teams. Though another slide occurred at same place but after hectic efforts the dead body of the trapped person was retrieved from the slide.
He has been identified as Ganesh Dass (60), son of Lal Chand, resident of Tagood village in Kishtwar. The dead body was brought to DH Kishtwar and after completion of legal formalities was handed over to the family. The police has started investigation in the incident.
Reports from Ramban said that Army rescued a pregnant woman amidst inclement weather in snowbound remote Mohu Mangat area on Pir Panjal in Ramban district.
Official sources said that in the afternoon on Saturday, Army received a distress call from the family members, Sarpanch of village and other prominent members of village Hargam of Khari Tehsil in Ramban district requesting for urgent medical evacuation of a pregnant woman Kulsuma Akhtar (25), wife of Mukhtiyar Ahmad Nayak, who was in critical condition.
Due to heavy snowfall, roads were completely blocked and very slippery. Realising the criticality of the situation, the rescue and medical teams of Indian Army immediately responded to the distress call, risking their own safety. The soldiers had to make their own way in 4-6 feet high snow and carried the pregnant lady on stretcher for 14 Kms till Agnari village where an Ambulance of Army was on standby to receive the patient.
The pregnant woman was carefully and safely evacuated to Sub District Hospital Banihal. Six hour long evacuation on stretchers amidst inclement weather through snow covered stretches reaffirmed faith of people in their soldiers. Army doctor accompanied patient till SDH, Banihal. The family and doctors expressed gratitude to the Army for their swift action and timely assistance as it saved the life of the patient and the baby.
Meanwhile, as the dense fog has vanished in many areas of northern region after rains, there has been improvement in the air and train operations in Jammu region. The flight operation at Jammu airport by and large has been returning to normal for the last couple of days.
Hemkund Express, Pooja and Rajdhani Express trains reached on time today. However, Archan Express was late by 4 hours, Shalimar Exp by 2.30 hrs, Sealdah by 3 hrs. Begumpura by 3.30 hrs, Jhelum Exp by 2 hrs, Malwah Exp by 4 hrs, Superfast Jammu-Bandra by 2 hrs and Himgiri was late by 7.40 hrs from its scheduled time today.
Meanwhile, the minimum temperatures dropped further in Kashmir and many parts of Jammu with Pahalgam recording season’s coldest night minus 10.9°C.
A Meteorological Department official said that Srinagar recorded a low of minus 0.6°C against last night’s minus 0.1°C. Today’s minimum temperature was 1.5°C above normal for the city.
Qazigund recorded a low of minus 0.7°C against minus 0.4°C the previous night and it was 2.4°C above normal for the town.
Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 10.9°C against minus 5.9°C the previous night and it was 3.8°C above normal. It was the coldest night recorded this season in the famous tourist resort, surpassing January 2 temperature when mercury plunged to minus 9.6°C.
Kokernag recorded a low of minus 1.4°C against minus 1.2°C the previous night. It was 2.2°C above normal for the place.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 10.4°C against minus 11.0°C the previous night which was the coldest night so far recorded there. It was 2.5°C below normal in the skiing resort.
In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at minus 1.3°C against minus 3.6°C the previous night and it was 1.6°C above normal for the place.
Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 15.4°C and minus 18.5°C respectively.
Jammu’s temperature has experienced sharp drop during last two days. The City recorded a night temperature of 4.6 deg C while it was 8 deg C hardly two days ago. The day temperature in Jammu was 16.1 degree C today.
Katra town recorded a minimum temperature of 5.4 deg C, Bhaderwah -3.2 deg C, Batote -1.2 deg and Banihal -2.7 deg C.
The MeT official said till January 18, weather is likely to be mainly dry and partly cloudy. There is also a possibility of fog in plains of Jammu and Kashmir during morning hours.
He said another Western Disturbance was likely to affect J&K from January 19 onwards and chances of precipitation are 60%.
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