As multiple avalanches triggered by heavy snowfall strikes the Batalik sector in the Ladakh region of Jammu Kashmir, it killed two soldiers while one other has been rescued. The incident happened on Thursday and three soldiers have been rescued so far from under the snow. According to the weather department, 83.9 mm of snowfall was recorded in Srinagar alone since Wednesday.
Snowfall also blocked highways in the valley for the second consecutive day on Thursday.
“Unprecedented snowfall triggers multiple avalanches; a Post in Batalik Sector buried, 2 soldiers out of 5 rescued,” the Northern Command had tweeted Thursday, adding, “Rescue operation for balance three soldiers in progress. Specially trained & equipped Avalanche Rescue Teams employed.”
An early warning had been issued on Thursday by the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) of the possibility of an avalanche in the state.
High-danger avalanche warning is in place for slopes and areas of Kargil in Jammu and Kashmir,” it had said.
“A medium-danger avalanche warning is in place in slopes and areas of Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir.” it added.
As many as 20 soldiers have perished under multiple instances of avalanches in Jammu and Kashmir, including the ones that occurred in Sonamarg area of Ganderbal, Gurez in Bandipora and Machhil in Kupwara districts in January.
