Ganderbal, Jan 12 (KNS): Two labourers died after an avalanche hit Sarbal area of Sonamarg in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district on Thursday, officials said here.
An official said that the avalanche hit the Sarbal area close to Nilgrath where Hyderabad-based Mega Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) is executing work on the Zojila Tunnel.
He said that a rescue operation was launched by police, State Disaster Response Force, Army, Beacon and MEIL teams on the site to clear the area.
However, initially one body of labourer was recovered from the spot and was shifted to hospital for legal medical formalities while rescue operation was on till this evening which led to the recovery of another body.
He also said that the general public was advised to remain cautious and not to venture out in slopes, hilly areas, or avalanche-prone areas till the weather improves.
Notably, the vehicular movement towards Sonamarg and Nilgrar has been stopped till weather improves.
On Wednesday, January 11, the Upper reaches of central Kashmir's Ganderbal district, including the health resort of Sonamarg, Gumri Zojila Pass, received heavy snowfall.
Meanwhile the Ganderbal police in press release issued to KNS states that in continuation to the earlier update about search and rescue operation, Men deployed of Police, Army and civil administration recovered second dead body from the debris of snow.
It said that the snow avalanche triggered today from the upper reaches of the Ranga Morh and accumulated at Sarbal area of Sonamarg. Initially no report of loss of life and property was there.
"However later on when the snow settled, Management of Megha Company ( Tunnel Company) reported that two of the labourers of their company reportedly gone missing and got buried under the snow," the police said, adding that sonamarg Police, ART teams of Army and SDRF teams reached the spot and started search and rescue operation.
It said that the site was still vulnerable as small snow slides were still coming from the top of the hill. After strenuous efforts one dead body recovered from the snow. The deceased was identified as Sandeep Kumar son of Munshi Ram of Sara Padar Kishtiwar, police said.
"After some time the another missing persons body was recovered from the site and the deceased is identified as Bala Krishna son of Bansi Lal of Gara Padar Kishtiwar," it said, adding that both missing bodies recovered by rescue and search teams.
It said that the rescue and search operation is stopped now as both the bodies are recovered and also it is snowing continuously at Ranga Morh, sarbal which is making the area more vulnerable to snow slides.
"Megha company management has been asked to shift the workers to safe location till the weather gets cleared," the police said, adding that helpline by District Police Ganderbal has already been issued in view of inclement weather.
"Till the weather improves general public has been advised not to venture out in vulnerable areas," the police requested people.(KNS)