- A massive avalanche occurred in the backcountry of Gulmarg, a popular ski resort in Jammu and Kashmir, causing death and severe injuries.
- The incident occurred around 2 pm when three tourists ventured into an off-piste area, not patrolled by the ski patrol or the avalanche control team.
- The rescue team, including Baramulla Police, 18RR, HAWS, and local volunteers, managed to locate two of the tourists.
- The avalanche disrupted the ongoing winter games in Gulmarg, attracting hundreds of participants and spectators.
- The Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority issued a fresh avalanche warning for ten districts of the union territory due to heavy snowfall and rain.
- The Jammu Srinagar National Highway remains closed for the fourth consecutive day due to multiple landslides and shooting stones in the Ramban-Banihal sector.
New Delhi: A massive avalanche occurred in the backcountry area of Gulmarg, a popular ski resort in Jammu and Kashmir, on Thursday afternoon. The avalanche claimed the life of one foreign tourist and left another severely injured. The third tourist, who was part of the same group, is still missing and the search operation is underway.
The incident happened around 2 pm, when the three tourists ventured into the off-piste area, which is not patrolled by the ski patrol or the avalanche control team. They were caught in the avalanche, which was triggered by heavy snowfall in the region. The rescue team, comprising Baramulla Police, 18RR, HAWS, and local volunteers, reached the spot and managed to locate two of the tourists. One of them was declared dead on the spot, while the other was rushed to the hospital with multiple injuries. The identity and nationality of the tourists have not been disclosed yet.
The avalanche also disrupted the ongoing winter games in Gulmarg, which started on Wednesday and will continue till Saturday. The event has attracted hundreds of participants and spectators from across the country, who are enjoying various snow sports and activities. The authorities have advised the visitors to stay within the designated areas and follow the safety guidelines.
The Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) issued a fresh avalanche warning for ten districts of the union territory on Wednesday, given the forecast of heavy snowfall and rain. The advisory stated that there is a possibility of low to medium-level avalanches above 2000 meters in Anantnag, Kulgam, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban, Kupwara and Ganderbal districts in the next 24 hours. The people living in these areas have been asked to remain alert and avoid unnecessary movement.
The Jammu Srinagar National Highway, the only road link between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country, remains closed for the fourth consecutive day due to multiple landslides and shooting stones in the Ramban-Banihal sector. The traffic authorities are working to clear the debris and restore the traffic as soon as possible. However, the weather conditions are hampering the efforts. Thousands of vehicles, including trucks carrying essential supplies, are stranded on the highway, causing inconvenience to the commuters. The authorities have advised the travelers to contact the traffic control rooms before starting their journey.
