Srinagar- Two labourers were killed after an avalanche hit Sonamarg in Ganderbal district on Thursday, officials said.
The avalanche hit the Sarbal area close to Nilgrath where Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) is executing work on the Zojila Tunnel. Two dead bodies, identified as those of Sandeep Singh and Bal Krishna — both residents of Kishtwar — have been retrieved so far, officials said.
The bodies have been shifted to Primary Health Centre in Sonamarg for medico legal formalities, they added.
Meanwhile Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha expressed anguish over the incident.
“I am deeply anguished to learn of the unfortunate incident of snow avalanche at Sonamarg in which a precious life has been lost. Army, Police & SDRF teams are engaged in search & rescue operation. Directed dist admin to provide all necessary assistance to the affected persons.” the LG office posted on its official Twitter handle erlier in the day,
Meanwhile, in a statement issued here, a police spokesperson said that police, ART teams of Army and SDRF teams reached the spot and started a search and rescue operation shortly after the avalanche hit the area.
“After strenuous efforts one dead body recovered from the snow. The deceased was identified as Sandeep Kumar son of Munshi Ram of Sara Padar Kishtiwar, the spokesperson said.
“After some time another missing person’s body was recovered from the site and the deceased is identified as Bala Krishna son of Bansi Lal of Gara Padar Kishtiwar,” he added.
He said that the rescue operation was stopped after both the bodies were recovered despite continuous snowfall at Ranga Morh, Sarbal which has made the area more vulnerable to snow slides.
“Megha company management has been asked to shift the workers to safe locations till the weather gets cleared,” the spokesperson said, adding that a helpline by District Police Ganderbal has already been issued in view of inclement weather.
The police also urged people not not to venture out in vulnerable areas till the weather improves
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