Police teams sent to rescue avalanche-hit people in Kashmir

Srinagar: Police teams have been despatched to rescue villagers in avalanche prone Waltingoo Nar area in Kulgam district of south Kashmir, officials said Friday. This follows heavy snowfall in Kashmir valley since late Thursday with south Kashmir receiving heaviest snowfall of this season. "We have dispatched a team of 30 policemen to rescue 60 villagers from Waltingo Nar area which is avalanche prone," a senior police officer said.

Several villagers were trapped when avalanches hit Waltingoo Nar village in 2004. The government has set up control rooms here and in Jammu to deal with the situation following the heavy snowfall. According to an official statement, Kashmir valley has been divided into three zones in which 91 heavy to medium size snow clearance machines have been pressed into service to clear the roads. Meanwhile high danger avalanche warning has been issued for higher reaches of Naugam, Kaiyan and Gurez sector for Saturday, and medium danger warnings for higher reaches of Chowkibal, Tangdhar, Keran, Machil, Sonamarg, Gulmarg and Uri. People staying in snow bound areas of these locations have been advised not to venture in avalanche prone areas, an official statement said. IANS