Civilians trapped in avalanche in Kupwara, J-K

In a six-hour operation in north Kashmir's Kupwara on Tuesday, the Army rescued thirty residents who were stuck owing to fresh snowfall and avalanches.

After a spell of heavy snowfall and two avalanches hit the stretch on the night of January 17-18, the villagers were stranded on the Chowkibal-Tangdhar road.

Says an Army spokesperson, “As soon as the information of civilians getting stuck closer to Khooni Nala and S.M. Hill on the NH-701 reached the troops, two rescue teams, comprising avalanche rescue teams from Indian Army and a team of General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF), were mobilized for rescuing the civilians who were stuck in their vehicles.”

14 individuals were rescued and relocated to Neelam, while 16 civilians were relocated to the N.C. pass, also known as Sadhna pass, due to bad weather conditions.

"It took roughly five to six hours to complete the project." "All of the rescued civilians were given food, medical care, and a place to stay for the night," according to an Army official. 

On January 18, 12 automobiles were salvaged from the Valley's snow-covered Chowkibal-Tangdhar section.

According to officials, one of the citizens told the rescuers that they had a narrow escape since they were able to jump out of the vehicle before it was covered with snow.

"Twelve vehicles were retrieved during the day on Tuesday after the avalanche and snow slide clearance from the road. BRO GREF played a difficult but stellar role in snow clearance amidst dangerous conditions."

He estimated that the entire procedure took five to six hours.