Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 24: In the aftermath of rain and untimely snowfall, the administration, as well as police in several rescue operations, saved several stranded people while 2 people died after they were stuck at the Sinthan Top in South Kashmir.
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Also, Srinagar-Jammu and Ladakh highways remained closed today for the second straight day due to the accumulation of snow and landslides. The traditional Mughal Road also remained closed due to the accumulation of snow at various places, while the officials said that the works for the restoration of the roads are going on.
Officials said that around four civilians were reported to have been stuck at the Sintham Top prompting the authorities to launch the rescue operation. The operation which was launched jointly by the police, Army and civil administration managed to rescue three people in injured condition while one had died on the spot.
“A team of district administration Anantnag, Army and police rescued two civilians around 0500 hours from Sinthan Pass, who were stranded due to continuous snowfall,” officials said.
They added that one person was found dead on the spot while the second one died on way back after the operation ended. “While the second person died on way back, 2 others have survived. However, they have suffered hypothermia and are in shock; they are being currently treated,” the officials said.
The team which was tasked to carry out the rescue operation, the officials said had to travel more than 30 kilometres to reach the spot where these people were stranded.
“The operation was also aided by the MED whose machinery paved the way for the team to reach the spot; it was a tough operation, but we were able to rescue 2 while 2 more unfortunately died,” the officials said.
In Bandipora district, a team of BEACON and the men from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) also carried out a rescue operation and were able to get around 4 drivers back to safety after they were stuck at Razdan Pass on Gurez-Bandipora road.
Officials said that 4 drivers were stuck at Razdan Pass along with the machinery and vehicles which include a JCB, 2 trucks and a Tipper. The officials added that the drivers had left for Bandipora at around 1800 hrs on Friday, however, got stuck and sought help after they were left with no supplies.
The BEACON officials said that they prepared a team that was directed to rush to the spot to rescue the stranded drivers. The officials said that the drivers were rescued safely while the vehicles and the other machinery was also taken to a safe spot.
In Ganderbal, police also pressed its men and machinery to restore the vehicular movement on Main-road Sonamarg which was blocked during the overnight landslides that occurred due to incessant rains that lashed Valley.
Police in this regard said that after receiving information about the incident, a police party led by SHO PS Sonamarg arrived at the spot and initiated the activities for clearance of landslide caused by snow/rain.
“Police as a first responder began the rescue operation despite heavy downpour in the area. Other senior officers including SDPO Kangan were supervising the rescue efforts on the spot,” police said.
After hectic efforts, police managed to evacuate almost 200 passenger vehicles and clear the debris from the road and make it through for the vehicular movement.
In Shopian, police said, amid the inclement weather, Police carried out a rescue operation after receiving a distress call and rescued several nomadic families comprising 14 members who were stuck at higher reaches of Dubjen forest area of Shopian.
“Shopian police received a distress call that nomadic families putting up in tents got stuck due to the heavy snowfall and there are apprehensions of snow avalanche at the higher reaches of Dubjen forest area of Shopian,” police said.
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