Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 25: An Army jawan was killed and another went missing after an avalanche hit an Army patrol party in Siachen’s Turtuk sector of Ladakh region early this morning after fresh snowfall in hills of the region and rains in Kashmir valley.
An avalanche hit the Army patrol party around 8 am at Turtuk area of Siachen and two jawans were buried under the snow. Immediately, rescue drills were launched and one of the soldiers, Lance Havildar Bhawan Tamang was rescued in a critical condition and shifted to a nearest medical facility. He, later, succumbed to his injuries. Tamang was a resident of Lopshu village in Darjeeling.
Army has launched massive efforts to search and rescue the missing jawan despite an inclement weather in the area. Army Commander, Northern Command, Lt Gen D S Hooda has expressed his deep condolences to the family of Lance Havildar Bhawan Tamang.
In the meantime, authorities here issued an avalanche warning in the hills of Kashmir and Ladakh region after fresh overnight snowfall in the hills and rains in the plains.
The hills in North Kashmir received several inches of fresh snowfall and the plains were lashed by rains since last night. Gulmarg, Peer Ki Gali, Z-gali, Furkian, Sadhna pass, Razdhan Pass and Zojila received fresh snowfall leading to drop in the temperature.
The authorities, on the basis of weather advisory issued by Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE), issued medium danger avalanche warning for higher areas of Jammu and Kashmir, advising people not to venture into these areas.
“Medium danger avalanche warning exists for avalanche prone areas situated at an altitude of above 3,000 metres like Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandip-ora, Kargil and Ganderbal districts of Jammu and Kashmir”, the advisory said.
The rains in the plains of the Kashmir valley led to water-logging in low lying areas of Srinagar and its outskirts. The water level in the streams has increased, however, authorities said that there is no flood threat.
Despite rains, one-way traffic continued on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway today with traffic plying from Jammu to Srinagar.
The Inspector General of Police, Traffic, Viplav Kumar, told Excelsior that highway at Nashri and between Ramban and Batote, is creating bottle neck for two-way traffic. He said that once the portions of highway in these areas are restored, the two way traffic will be allowed to ply.
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