Srinagar(J&K): Amid heavy snowfall across Kashmir, the valley saw two massive avalanches hitting Bandipora and Ganderbal districts on Saturday. A massive avalanche hit Sonamarg's Sarbal area in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district.
The avalanche hit a workshop run by Hyderabad-based engineering company Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited (MEIL). As reported by the Company Officials, everyone is safe. No loss of life or property was reported in the incident. Police and SDRF are monitoring the situation closely.
In the video of the avalanche shared on social media, the massive avalanche is seen approaching the workshop from two directions with people running helter-skelter. Amid this melee, someone from the crowd shouts "Koi baat nahi, darne ki zaroorat nahi" (It's okay. There is no need to be afraid).
As the video progresses, the entire area around the workshop is seen covered with mist and snow with almost zero visibility. One hears people trying to boost each other's morale. "Don't open, don't open. Just stay in your rooms. Everyone is safe. No issues," a man is heard saying in the video. Earlier in the day, another avalanche hit Tulail area of Gurez valley in north Kashmir's Bandipora in the morning with inputs from the area suggesting no casualties in the incident
The development comes days after two labourers from Kishtwar died on Thursday when an avalanche hit the work site of a construction company in Sonamarg. Majority of areas in Kashmir are under a thick blanket of snow. Authorities have issued an avalanche warning for 12 districts including Bandipora after moderate to heavy snowfall a day before.
The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) on Saturday issued a 'high danger' avalanche warning for Kupwara district of north Kashmir and a 'medium danger' warning for Bandipora, Baramulla, Doda, Ganderbal, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban and Reasi districts.
"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.
They said avalanche with a low danger level is likely to occur above 2,000 metres over Anantnag, Kulgam, and Rajouri districts in the next 24 hours. People have been advised to take precautions and avoid venturing into avalanche-prone areas.
Meanwhile, the Kashmir Valley's connectivity with the rest of the country was restored on Saturday with the Srinagar-Jammu national highway reopening for traffic and flight operations also resuming here a day after a snowfall. Air traffic to and from the Kashmir Valley was restored after the airport was cleared of snow and visibility improved. However, several morning flights were delayed and some were cancelled.
Also read: Snowfall hits traffic at Srinagar airport, 25 flights cancelled
