Russian Skier Dead In Massive Avalanche In J&K's Gulmarg, 7 Others Rescued

Helicopters were deployed for search and rescue operations. 

The Tourism Department’s Gulmarg Ski Patrol and the Jammu and Kashmir Police rescued six Russian skiers and a guide from the area known as Army Ridge, as reported by Greater Kashmir.

Although one of the rescued skiers had minor wounds, his health is stable and he is being treated at a nearby hospital.

The avalanche occurred at Afarwat area in Gulmarg amid the fourth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games event currently underway there.

Another avalanche blocked Sindh stream in Sonamarg area of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, changing the course of the waterbody, officials said.

The avalanche struck the Hung area of Sonamarg on Srinagar-Leh road, blocking the flow of water in the Sindh stream, officials said.

The blockade caused by the avalanche debris forced a change in the course of the stream and water started flowing over the road adjacent to it, the officials said.

Authorities pressed heavy machinery into service to clear the debris of the avalanche so that the waterbody takes its original course.

Kashmir has received “moderate” to “heavy” snowfall over the past three days, increasing the possibility of avalanches in hilly and mountainous areas of the valley.