Jammu Kashmir: Massive avalanche near Zojila tunnel; second in 2 days

This is the second avalanche in this area in recent days.

On Thursday, two labourers working at the Zojila Tunnel along the strategic Srinagar- Leh highway were killed when an avalanche hit the area.

Police said a low-intensity avalanche hit the Sarbal area where Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) has a workshop.

“As reported by the Company Officials, everyone is safe. No loss of life and property is reported as of now,” a police statement said.

Police and State Disaster Response Force are monitoring the situation closely, police added.

A purported video which surfaced on social media showed two avalanches coming towards the sheds, probably of MEIL workers.

Earlier in the day, an avalanche also hit a village in the Gurez sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora district. There was no loss of life or damage to property, officials said.

Jammu and Kashmir's State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) on Saturday morning issued a “high danger” avalanche warning for the Kupwara district of north Kashmir.

“Avalanche with high danger level is likely to occur above 2,000 metres of Kupwara district in the next 24 hours. Avalanche with medium danger level is likely to occur above 2,000 metres over Bandipora, Baramulla, Doda, Ganderbal, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban and Reasi districts in the next 24 hours,” SDMA officials said.

The SDMA advised people living in these areas to take precautions and avoid venturing into avalanche-prone areas.

Kashmir witnessed a three-day wet spell which ended late last evening. The higher reaches of Kashmir received moderate to heavy snowfall during these three days.

(With UNI inputs)