Soldier dies in avalanche
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU/ SRINAGAR, Mar 2: The fresh landslides triggered by rains and snowfall today blocked the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway once again, hours after it was opened for one-way traffic, leaving thousands of commuters stranded in Ramban and Banihal and other areas while an Army soldier was buried alive under avalanche in Kargil area of Ladakh region last night.
The highway was opened for Kashmir-bound vehicles today morning. About eight inches of snow had accumulated on the ground near the Jawahar Tunnel, while incessant rains triggered landslides and sent stones hurling down a hillock at several places between Banihal and Ramban, forcing closure of the highway. The debris clearance operation could not be started due to rainfall. The closure of the highway left thousands of commuters, who were on way to Srinagar from Jammu stranded at various places.
IGP Traffic, J&K, Alok Kumar said that the highway was blocked in morning but it was cleared and some vehicles crossed over to Kashmir. At around 1 PM, it was again blocked due to fresh landslides at Maroog, Panthyal and Mom Passi. He said the rain continued and the stranded passengers have been accommodated at Ramban in schools and other Government buildings. He disclosed that about 500 vehicles have been stranded in Ramban and Chanderkote areas. Due to shooting stones and darkness at sliding zones, the restoration work could not be carried out, he added.
The IG said that before closer of the highway today, 250 oil tankers were pushed towards Kashmir valley besides nearly 400 LMVs. He said some stranded trucks were allowed to move towards Jammu in the morning, but the inclement weather caused the problem.
No fresh vehicle will be allowed on the highway from either Srinagar or Jammu and the preference would be given to the stranded vehicles once the road is made traffic worthy, he said.
A Defence spokesman said that an avalanche hit an Army patrolling party in Batalik sector of Ladakh region killing a soldier.
The incident occurred on Friday. Naik Kuldeep Singh was caught in the avalanche and grievously injured. He was evacuated to military hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, the official said.
Meanwhile, the hills of Kashmir received fresh snowfall and plains were lashed by rains leading to disruption of traffic on highways.
Several inches of snowfall was recorded in hills of Kashmir including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Gurez and other places of Kashmir.
Over 7-8 inches of snowfall was recorded in Jawahar Tunnel area which slowed down the vehicular movement in the morning, but the highway was later restored in this belt.
A Traffic official in Srinagar said that 123 LMVs, 211 oil tankers,33 Gas tankers, 14 gas trucks, 5 vegetables and few trucks carrying poultries reached Kashmir.
The official said that MeT Department predicted more rain in next 24 hours in the State which may lead to disruption on NH-44.
Authorities issued high danger level warning for Ramban, Anantnag, Kulgam, Kupwara, Bandipora and Ganderbal districts for the next 24 hours and medium danger level avalanche warning was issued for Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Budgam, Baramulla, Kargil and Leh districts during the same period.
Meanwhile, chopper service to Mata Vaishnodevi shrine remained suspended throughout the day today while Yatra continued despite rain and bad weather. Due to massive landslide at Thanpal, Reasi-Mahore road has been blocked. Chenani-Latti road has also been closed due to landslides at three places while Latti-Dudu road is lying closed for the last 22 days.
The R&B and PMGSY authorities have failed to restore the road and monitor the work. Even the power supply to this Sub Division could not be restored for the last more than three weeks. Over 20,000 population has been left to suffer.
Fresh spell of snowfall in most parts of Chenab region since today morning has further worsened the already extreme cold wave conditions, compelling worried parents to appeal to the authorities for extending winter vacations in winter zone of Jammu region. Early morning snowfall today send people into a tizzy in entire Chenab Valley especially at Bhaderwah and it’s peripheral areas, where people seem to be extremely worried due to prolonged winters which have thrown life out of gear in this hilly region since mid November.
The schools in winter zone were supposed to open after prolonged winter vacations on March 5 but inclement weather conditions forced authorities to extend the vocations till 10th of this month in Kashmir division, but no announcement was made regarding winter zone of Jammu division, especially Chenab belt which according to reports is reeling under severe cold wave conditions.
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