High-danger warning issued for avalanche in Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 7 (PTI) Authorities today issued a high-danger avalanche warning in some areas close of Line ofControl in Kashmir, even as medium avalanche threat continuesin several other areas of the Valley due to snowfall.

"A high danger avalanche warning exists for Duddhi,Macchil and SM Hill areas in north Kashmir," an official ofthe Disaster Management Cell said.

He said the warning was issued in view of the freshsnowfall in most parts of the Kashmir Valley including summercapital Srinagar, where rains through the day wereinterspersed by brief snowfall.

Medium danger avalanche warning has been issued forKhilanmarg, higher reaches of Gulmarg, Uri and Baaz areas inBaramulla district.

A similar warning was issued yesterday for Keran,Guguldara, Razdan Pass, Knazalwan in Kupwara district andthree-kilometres on either side of Jawahar Tunnel in southKashmir Anantnag district and Ramban district, the officialsaid.

Sonamarg Zojila, Gumri, Kargil, Drass, Padum, Bhimbet,Kaksar and Hundbrook areas along Srinagar-Leh highway havealso been placed under medium warning category, he added.

"People living in these areas are advised to avoidmovement during snowfall and avoid steep slopes," he said,adding that people are advised not to venture towardsavalanche prone areas.

The avalanche warnings are valid for the next 24 hourswhen the situation will be reviewed, he said.

Five persons were killed in Batalik sector of Kargilyesterday after sliding of rocks caused by heavy snowfall. OneBSF porter was also killed in Gurez sector of Bandiporadistrict in an avalanche.