Gulmarg hit by massive avalanche; one dead, five rescued

In a tragic incident on Thursday, one foreign tourist lost his life, while five individuals were successfully rescued after a massive avalanche that struck the ski slopes in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir.

As per the reports, the avalanche hit the upper reaches of Apharwat peak in the Afarwat area of Gulmarg, where rescue teams swiftly responded to conduct safety operations.
The unfortunate event coincided with the ongoing fourth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg. Initial reports indicate that seven foreign skiers were trapped in the avalanche, which indicates the perilous conditions that are faced by winter sports enthusiasts in the region.
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The rescue and search operations are being conducted by the Army personnel and a patrolling team from the Jammu and Kashmir administration.
Furthermore, reports also have it that another avalanche disrupted the Sindh stream in the Sonamarg area of Jammu and Kashmir the day before, which altered the water body's course. Striking the Hung area of Sonamarg on the Srinagar-Leh road, the avalanche obstructed the flow of water in the Sindh stream, prompting a diversion in its path. To restore the waterbody to its original course, authorities deployed heavy machinery to clear the debris left by the avalanche.

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The recent snowfall in Kashmir, ranging from ‘moderate’ to ‘heavy’ over the past three days, has heightened the risk of avalanches in the hilly and mountainous regions of the valley.
These incidents indicate the challenges posed by extreme weather conditions, necessitating continuous vigilance and proactive measures to ensure the safety of residents and visitors alike.