Two avalanches hit Bandipora-Gurez road, no casualties reported
Srinagar: Two back-to-back snow avalanches struck the strategic Bandipora-Gurez road in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Monday, officials said.
A Border Roads Organisation (BRO) official said that a major avalanche measuring approximately 200 metres in length and 10 feet in height occurred at KM 60.00 on the Bandipora-Gurez (BG) road, while another avalanche was reported nearly one kilometre from Korkbal village, completely blocking the 85-km-long thoroughfare.
The twin avalanches forced the suspension of vehicular movement, disrupting connectivity to the Gurez sector, the official said. The area has received three to four feet of fresh snowfall in recent days, heightening the risk of such incidents, he added.
The official further said no loss of life or property was reported, and the absence of traffic movement at the time prevented any casualty.
Soon after the incident, the BRO pressed men and machinery into service, deploying 56 RCC teams to the affected sites, the official said, adding that snow clearance operations are underway on a war footing to restore connectivity.
Meanwhile, the civil administration has advised commuters to avoid travelling on the Bandipora-Gurez road until it is declared safe. Travelers have been urged to contact the District Control Room for real-time updates before undertaking any journey. (KNS)
