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Snow Avalanches Hit Kashmir, 1 Killed

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Feb 5: Snow avalanches hit North and South Kashmir today. A Border Roads Organisation (BRO) driver was killed by one avalanche in North Kashmir.

Sources said that an avalanche struck when army BRO personnel were clearing snow from their positions near Sadhana Top in North Kashmir. The BRO bulldozer was hit and the driver was critically injured. He was immediately evacuated to the army hospital, where he succumbed later.

Meanwhile, snow avalanches also struck in South Kashmir's Waltengonar areas this morning. Fortunately, no loss of life or injury took place in the avalanches. After the avalanches, authorities pressed men and machinery into service and rescued 250 people from the area. They were moved to safer places.

The Sadhna post in North Kashmir has so far witnessed 7 ft snowfall while 6.5 ft snow accumulated at Waltengonar. It is pertinent to mention here that in February 2005, a snow tsunami hit Waltengonar, killing more than 150 persons.

In another avalanche, a police barrack and a canteen was damaged in South Kashmir. No loss of life or injury took place.

Later, authorities sounded a red alert across Kashmir. They have issued avalanche warnings to people living in upper reaches following heavy snowfall since last evening. People have been asked to move to safer places.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.