In an unfortunate incident, four soldiers lost their lives on Tuesday due to avalanches in parts of central and north Kashmir. They died in an avalanche that hit a forward post in the Machil sector. Another personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF), who went missing after an avalanche in the Nowgam sector, has now been found.

Avalanches also hit Gurez and Rampur sectors on LoC, although there are no immediate reports of damage. It is to be noted that the temperature in Machil, Nowgaam, Gurez and Rangdaar region is around -20 degrees celsius. In Ganderbal, which was hit by the avalanche, the minimum temperature was recorded at -12 degrees celsius on Tuesday.

Over the past 48 hours, there has been unprecedented heavy snowfall in the higher reaches of Gurez, Bandipur, Kupwara, Naugaon and Baramula areas of North Kashmir where Indian Army troops are deployed. 

 

The lowest temperature reported in areas of deployment is minus 57 degrees in North Glacier (Siachen). 

 

- Gurez Sector – 51 cms

- Machhil Sector – 117 cms

- Keran and Tangdhar Sector – 56 cms

- Naogaon Sector – 122 cms

- Uri & Gulmarg Sectors – 61 cms

 

Over 32 snow slides have been reported in the vicinity of army posts. However, alert and well-rehearsed drills have saved numerous lives and loss to property. In the Kanzalwan area of Gurez, more than 200 troops stationed in the area moved to safer places prior to their location being hit by a major snow slide. 

 

In the Tangdhar Sector, all seven soldiers who came under a snow slide were safely rescued by alert soldiers of the rescue team. 

 

Similarly, in the Gulmarg sector, seven soldiers whose shelter came under a snow slide were safely rescued.