Udhampur, February 8
While there is no communication with the worst-affected remotest areas of Kishtwar district, eight persons — according to UNI, 30 — including six members of a family, were killed in avalanches and snowstorms which struck Doda and Ramban districts during the past 24 hours. Scores of houses have been reportedly damaged in heavy snowfall in many parts of Doda district and a large number of people have been missing. As fear of snowstorms looms large, people have been moved to “safer” places from avalanche-prone areas of Doda and Kishtwar districts.
"Six members of a family were killed in Ramban and one person lost his life in Doda district due to heavy snowfall", Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Sudanshu Pandey, told The Tribune and added that 11 persons had been reportedly missing from the Bhaderwah area.
Reports said six members of the family were buried alive in Dhan Masta village of the Ramsoo area of Ramban district when an avalanche struck this village earlier this morning. All the inmates, except a four-year-old, got killed on the spot when their house caved in. The deceased have been identified as Rani Devi, 70, wife of late Bhagat Ram, Sanjeet Singh, 25, son of Lakshman Singh, his wife Sunila Devi, 22, Leela Devi, 25, wife of Chain Singh, Neetu, 6, son of Chain Singh and Pooja Devi, 2, daughter of Chain Singh. Geeta Devi, four-year-daughter of Chain Singh, had a miraculous escape.
"Although the village is situated in a remote area, teams have been sent to start rescue operations", Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, A D Shanaz, told The Tribune and further said that a red alert had already been sounded in many avalanche-prone areas of the district.
In another incident a constable of the Jammu and Kashmir Police died due to severe cold in Ramban. The deceased identified as Nayaz Hussain of the Armed Police was found dead this
morning.
According to another report, Aruna Devi, daughter of Chaman Lal, was killed when she was trapped in a snowstorm at Swat village of the Assar area of Doda district. She was reportedly buried alive in the snow.
Although snowfall had stopped in town, it continued in adjoining localities which resulted into further worsening of the situation in this mountainous belt. Due to fear of the avalanches, the entire population of Thandal village in the Bhagwa area of the district has migrated to “safer” places. “The whole population of this village has left,” Deputy Commissioner, Doda, Khurshid Ahmed Bhat, told The Tribune and said that civil and Army authorities had been providing food and shelter to these families.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, Iniyatullah, has expressed his helplessness to give details about the loss of human lives and property. “Major part of the district is out of bound as there is no communication like with hundreds of hamlets located in far-flung hilly areas,” the Deputy Commissioner told The Tribune. He said the only means of communication was wireless sets of the Army and the police.
