Avalanche warnings in 12 districts of J&K

The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Saturday issued avalanche warnings in 12 districts of the Union Territory with a specific 'high danger' warning in the frontier district of Kupwara along the Line of Control in northern Kashmir.

The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) issued a 'medium danger' warning for Bandipora, Baramulla and Ganderbal districts of Kashmir Valley and Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban and Reasi districts of the Jammu division.

Officials said an avalanche with a "low danger level" is likely to occur above 2,000 metres over Anantnag and Kulgam of southern Kashmir and Rajouri district in Pir Panchal region of Jammu in the next 24 hours. "People living in these areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing into the avalanche-prone areas," said an SDMA statement. On Saturday, an avalanche hit Jurniyal village of Gurez in Bandipora district of northern Kashmir. No loss of life or damage to property was reported. A low-intensity avalanche hit the Sarbal area of Sonamarg in Ganderbal area of central Kashmir around 5.30pm on Saturday evening, partially damaging the workshop of a construction company engaged in construction of Zojila tunnel, however, no loss of life was reported. Earlier, on Thursday, two construction workers were killed at a construction site after an avalanche struck in the Sonamarg area in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir Most parts of the Kashmir Valley witnessed heavy snowfall on Friday, following which several far-flung areas were cut off from the district centres.