Kashmir, Ladakh on high alert after fresh avalanche warning issued by authorities

A fresh avalanche warning in Kashmir was issued on Thursday. Seven other districts from the Kashmir Valley and two in Ladakh region will remain on high alert for this avalanche threat. However, due to the closure of 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway, Kashmir valley has remained cut off for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday following fresh landslide after rain and snowfall.
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The 86-km long historic Mughal road that links Kashmir and Ladakh region also remained closed. Hundreds of passengers remain stranded at various places on the highway. Kashmir-bound passengers alleged that local authorities did not provide any relief to them while they remained stranded. The locals also claimed that the collapsing of mountain slopes was because of some construction work taking place in regions between Banihal and Ramban particularly.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is working diligently and putting high-end equipment into service to clear the landslides. An official spokesperson said that as per a statement issued by the Deputy Commissioner in Kashmir, there is danger of avalanches during the next 24 hours. This avalanche warning in hilly districts of Jammu has been issued by the authorities; and the landslide prone areas are Bandipora, Baramulla, Anantnag, Kupwara, Kulgam, Ganderbal, Kargil and Leh districts of Kashmir Valley.

The Disaster Management Authority has also issued warnings to people living in the avalanche prone areas, and has advised them to take precautionary measures.