Ten feared killed after snow avalanche hits Khardung La

TNN Bureau. Updated: 1/19/2019 11:33:14 AM Front Page

Five bodies recovered, intense searches on for others

SRINAGAR: In a tragic accident, ten persons, believed to be Army porters, are feared dead after a snow avalanche buried the two trucks they were travelling in at Khardung La of Ladakh region on Friday.

Bodies of five of the deceased have been recovered so far, while efforts are on to find the remaining five persons, whose chances of survival are bleak, police said.

The rescue operation by police, Border Roads Organisation and Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Force was halted in the evening and would resume again in the morning till remaining five bodies were recovered, government said.

A high alert for avalanche was sounded on Thursday by the administration following adverse weather advisory by the Met department.

"The two trucks, carrying 10 civilians, came under an avalanche at Khardungla pass, which is one of the highest motorable roads in the world at 17,500 feet, at 7.00 am," a defence spokesman said.

He said the trucks were buried 20 feet deep under debris, nearly 800 metres from Khardungla Top towards South Pullu.

As soon as the Army detachment at Khardungla Top was alerted about the incident, all resources of the Fire and Fury Corps were activated, the spokesman said.

"Army teams deployed near the incident site swiftly moved in and commenced search and rescue operations. Troops deployed at South Pullu and North Pullu were also moved to the site.

Simultaneously, the Army Aviation helicopters were pressed into service to move the highly trained avalanche rescue teams of the Army -- Avalanche Panthers Teams -- from Siachen Base Camp and North Pullu," he said.

These teams are equipped with specialised avalanche rescue gear, medical equipment and avalanche rescue dogs, which are being utilised in the search operations, he said. The Army Aviation helicopters are conducting the Deep Search Radars which can detect human beings through snow.

Lieutenant General Y K Joshi, GOC Fire and Fury Corps, carried out an aerial assessment of the incident and issued necessary directions for the smooth conduct of the rescue operations.

The victims are said to be Army porters, although there was no official confirmation for the same.

The five recovered dead bodies were identified by their relatives as, Nurboo Tsering son of Tsering Mutup of Toktha, Thinles Spalzang son of Tsering Dorjey of Toktha, Tsewang Tashi son of Lobzang Chombel of Sani Padum, Tsewang Nurboo son of Sonam Tashi of Abran, and Lobzang Chombel son of Nawang Tharchin of Bakartse, all in Zanskar.

Governor Satya Pal Malik, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti condoled the loss of life in the accident.

In his message, the governor prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved families in their hour of grief.

The governor announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of those killed in the avalanche.

While condoling the deaths, Omar, in a tweet, said the accident once again highlighted the importance of tunnels and strategically important passes.

He called for tunnels under ZojiLa, KhardungLa, Razdan, Sadna and Sinthan passes, and a tunnel to connect Keran in North Kashmir and under Peer ki galli on the Mughal Road, so as "to stop areas being cut off in winter."

Mehbooba said, "(I am) Saddened to hear about the loss of lives because of the avalanche in Khardungla, Ladakh. Prayers for the families of the departed."

Meanwhile, the Meteorological department on Friday issued a fresh weather warning after a Western Disturbance (WD) hit the region which could result in isolated , scattered and Fairly Widespread rain and snow during the next about a week which could affect air and surface traffic.

A Met department spokesman said here this afternoon there could be scattered light snowfall in Kashmir valley and Ladakh region and isolated rain and snow in Jammu region during the next 24 hours.

He said during the subsequent six days there could be widespread, scattered and fairly widespread rain and snow in the Jammu and Kashmir.

In a warning he said there could be isolated to heavy rain and snowfall on January 20 followed by fairly widespread rain and snow on January 21 and scattered to heavy rain and snow on January 23.


Comment on this Story