Kulgam avalanche: Two policemen trapped under snow rescued

Kulgam: Two of the 10 policemen, who were trapped under snow after an avalanche hit a police post in South Kashmir's Kulgam district on Thursday, have been rescued, the Jammu and Kashmir Police said on Friday. The avalanche hit the north portal of Jawahar Tunnel on the Qazigund side. Meanwhile, efforts are on to rescue the remaining policemen trapped inside their post under snow. The rescue operation is being carried out by police teams and other concerned agencies. Earlier today, the Jammu and Kashmir Police said strong wind and accumulation of snow on the path are making it difficult for the teams to rescue the cops. On Thursday, the Jawahar Tunnel area of the Srinagar-Jammu highway witnessed heavy snowfall, blocking the north portal of the tunnel. Kulgam district received maximum precipitation in the last 24 hours. According to officials, some places in the district have received as much as five feet snow. With Kashmir valley witnessing heavy snowfall since Wednesday, an avalanche warning has been issued by the Snow and Avalanche Studies Establishment for several districts for the next 24 hours. High-danger avalanche warning has been issued to Anantnag, Bandipora, Baramulla, Budgam, Ganderbal, Kulgam and Kupwara districts in the valley while medium danger warning was issued to Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar, Udhampur and Leh districts. A low danger warning was issued for Kargil district. On Thursday, 78 families were shifted to safer places by the police and civil administration from avalanche prone areas of Kulgam district. Source: Udayavani