The Indian Army's rescue and medical teams on Monday helped some visitors who had become stranded at the Zoji La Pass as a result of many snow falls and minor avalanches. National Highway 1, which connects Jammu and Kashmir to Ladakh, is still closed as a result of numerous small avalanches that have occurred recently. Teams from the Jammu and Kashmir Police and General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) also pressed into service alongside the Indian Army. On Zoji La Pass earlier in the day, two vehicles were struck by an avalanche, which caused them to go off the road and roll down.

Snow avalanche hits 2 vehicles at Zoji La, Indian Army rescues stranded tourists

At least four people were killed and nine others were injured after an avalanche in the southwest of Mont Blanc in the French Alps, said the country’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, on Sunday (April 9). Additionally, as per media reports citing officials, at least two others were missing. The search for those missing will continue on early Monday, said local authorities as per the news agency AFP.&nbsp;

The avalanche occurred in the middle of the day at the Armancette glacier in the French Alps, said the country’s interior minister, in a statement. According to the Haute-Savoie department’s prefecture, among those killed were two mountain guides who were caught in the snow rolling down the glacier.&nbsp;

The authorities also said that one person suffered minor injuries in the avalanche while eight others who were swept up were unharmed. Emmanuel Coquand, the spokesperson for the Haute-Savoie, said that those caught in it were backcountry skiing in the mountains, reported Reuters. He added that they are still confirming the identity of the victims.

There was no avalanche warning issued for the region by France’s weather authority Meteo France but the local authorities suspect that a combination of warmth and wind may have been behind the disaster. “I think it’s the most deadly avalanche this season,” Contamines-Montjoie mayor Francois Barbier told AFP.

The avalanche reportedly covered an area of 1,000 metres by 500 metres at an altitude of 3,500 metres and took place in the glacier that lies near the village and ski resort of Les Contamines-Montjoie, as per media reports. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron took to Twitter and wrote, “We're thinking of (the victims) as well as of their families,” adding that the emergency services have been mobilised to find those still trapped in the snow.&nbsp;

The local authorities have also said that the possibility of a further avalanche could not be ruled out amid rescue operations which were suspended Sunday evening and are set to continue early Monday. The news agencies also reported that emergency responders had deployed a helicopter as well as mountain rescue dogs to the scene.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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At least four people were killed and nine others were injured after an avalanche in the southwest of Mont Blanc in the French Alps, said the country’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, on Sunday (April 9).

At least four people were killed and nine others were injured after an avalanche in the southwest of Mont Blanc in the French Alps, said the country’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, on Sunday (April 9). Additionally, as per media reports citing officials, at least two others were missing. The search for those missing will continue on early Monday, said local authorities as per the news agency AFP. The avalanche occurred in the middle of the day at the Armancette glacier in the French Alps, said the country’s interior minister, in a statement. According to the Haute-Savoie department’s prefecture, among those killed were two mountain guides who were caught in the snow rolling down the glacier. The authorities also said that one person suffered minor injuries in the avalanche while eight others who were swept up were unharmed. Emmanuel Coquand, the spokesperson for the Haute-Savoie, said that those caught in it were backcountry skiing in the mountains, reported Reuters. He added that they are still confirming the identity of the victims. There was no avalanche warning issued for the region by France’s weather authority Meteo France but the local authorities suspect that a combination of warmth and wind may have been behind the disaster. “I think it’s the most deadly avalanche this season,” Contamines-Montjoie mayor Francois Barbier told AFP. The avalanche reportedly covered an area of 1,000 metres by 500 metres at an altitude of 3,500 metres and took place in the glacier that lies near the village and ski resort of Les Contamines-Montjoie, as per media reports. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron took to Twitter and wrote, “We're thinking of (the victims) as well as of their families,” adding that the emergency services have been mobilised to find those still trapped in the snow. The local authorities have also said that the possibility of a further avalanche could not be ruled out amid rescue operations which were suspended Sunday evening and are set to continue early Monday. The news agencies also reported that emergency responders had deployed a helicopter as well as mountain rescue dogs to the scene. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

At least four killed, nine others injured after avalanche in French Alps

The intense snowfall across the Kashmir region not only brought cheer among the people but also misery and disruption to normal life. Kashmir witnessed seven avalanches in one week and thousands of people have been relocated and rescued from the avalanche-prone areas while five people lost their lives.

Kashmir region witnessed this season’s heaviest snowfall, especially over the higher reaches. Central Kashmir's Ganderbal and North Kashmir's Kupwara received around six feet of snow leading to extreme difficulties for the locals living in the area. Sonamarg area in the Ganderbal district witnessed four Avalanches in a week resulting in the deaths of two labourers working for the Zojila tunnel. Over 1100 people have been relocated from the Sonamarg tunnel site while 172 were rescued by the Indian army and local administration after an avalanche hit the project camp for Zojila Tunnel.&nbsp;

“There were around 1100 people located there in those areas. Normally we stop all external work during December. No external work was going on, only tunnel work was going on, we were having 1100 people out of those 300 people were directly involved in tunnel work out of which 800 were just located there, they were not doing any work. After the occurrence of these avalanches, 800 have been sent to their respective home, 300 people were still there who were involved in tunnel work, after the occurrence of second avalanche which took place on Saturday, we sent home 172 people,” said V K Pandey, General Manager NHIDCL.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gulmarg-pahalgam-receives-fresh-snowfall-kashmir-packed-with-tourists-552425">Gulmarg, Pahalgam receives fresh snowfall, Kashmir packed with tourists</a>

The work on the Zojila tunnel has been stopped for two weeks and a decision would be taken after a team of experts who predict the avalanches gives a report of resuming the work. Although the accumulation of snow is around five to six feet which makes it look unlikely that work would be started soon.&nbsp;

“Last year we were working throughout the winter because last year there was no occurrence of avalanches. But this year we have witnessed 4 avalanches, this was more severe. So, we have got the direction from the administration to suspend the work for the time being, till the situation improves. At least work is suspended for next two weeks, we are planning to call the experts who can predict the snow avalanches during the end of January. We will take their advice and then we will resume the work. we have all the precautions to start the work,” said Pandey.&nbsp;

The snow has created havoc for the local population as well. The roads are completely cut off from the rest of the districts, especially in Ganderbal's Sonamarg and North Kashmir's Kupwara, where the accumulation of snow has been around six feet. The majority of people living in these higher reaches have shifted to safer locations and people in the hilly areas have been advised to remain vigilant and not venture out during the nighttime.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kashmirs-fresh-snowfall-disrupts-national-highways-air-traffic-552380">Fresh snowfall in Kashmir disrupts traffic on national highway, affects flights' schedule</a>

These villages in the Ganderbal district are facing a shortage of electricity, water supply and road connectivity. The people are asking the government to open the roads so that the needy and sick people in these villages can be taken to hospitals without any hassle. &nbsp;

“We have a lot of problems in the area, the roads are completely cut off due to snow, issues of electricity and water supply, and there is no ambulance service nor the hospital. The roads have not been cleared as we have more than two feet of snow. We have to shift our sick people more than 20 km to reach a hospital or doctor. Sonamarg villages have been relocated. Due to the danger of avalanches, all those people have been taken out of those places. Electricity is also an issue with hefty electricity bills,” said Irfan Ahmad, a local resident of Gagangir Sonamarg.&nbsp;

The locals from these areas have demanded the government to open all the roads cut off due to heavy snowfall in higher reaches. The power cuts in these areas are longer than eight hours a day and some people said that they can’t even charge their phones.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/two-terrorists-belonging-to-let-killed-in-budgam-encounter-553422">Two terrorists belonging to LeT killed in Budgam encounter</a>

“We have a lot of problems due to the fresh snowfall. The roads are not cleared, there is no electricity, and there should be a hospital close by where we can take our sick people. The main concern is road connectivity, Our hospital is 10 km away and we can't move on the roads as they are covered with snow. Government has issued a warning to not venture out in the area, but we only come when we desperately need to, like taking sick people to hospital. If the roads were cleared it would be easy. We also lose our employment due to heavy snowfall. We hardly get electricity to even charge our mobile phones. There is no fire service either. They are over 25 km away,” said Ishfaq Ahmad, a local resident of Gagangir Sonamarg.&nbsp;

The government of Jammu and Kashmir has issued an avalanche warning across the ten districts of the Union Territory. People living in higher reaches have been advised to stay alert. The MeT has predicted another wet spell from January 18 to 25. However, there would be moderate to heavy snowfall from January 24 to January 25. Additionally, keeping in view the snow accumulation and prediction, Jammu and Kashmir along Ladakh have been put on high alert. Hence, the rescue teams have been kept on stand-by to meet any untoward incidents in these areas.&nbsp; 
 
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The intense snowfall across the Kashmir region not only brought cheer among the people but also misery and disruption to normal life. Kashmir witnessed seven avalanches in one week and thousands of people have been relocated and rescued from the avalanche-prone areas while five people lost their lives.

The intense snowfall across the Kashmir region not only brought cheer among the people but also misery and disruption to normal life. Kashmir witnessed seven avalanches in one week and thousands of people have been relocated and rescued from the avalanche-prone areas while five people lost their lives. Kashmir region witnessed this season’s heaviest snowfall, especially over the higher reaches. Central Kashmir's Ganderbal and North Kashmir's Kupwara received around six feet of snow leading to extreme difficulties for the locals living in the area. Sonamarg area in the Ganderbal district witnessed four Avalanches in a week resulting in the deaths of two labourers working for the Zojila tunnel. Over 1100 people have been relocated from the Sonamarg tunnel site while 172 were rescued by the Indian army and local administration after an avalanche hit the project camp for Zojila Tunnel. “There were around 1100 people located there in those areas. Normally we stop all external work during December. No external work was going on, only tunnel work was going on, we were having 1100 people out of those 300 people were directly involved in tunnel work out of which 800 were just located there, they were not doing any work. After the occurrence of these avalanches, 800 have been sent to their respective home, 300 people were still there who were involved in tunnel work, after the occurrence of second avalanche which took place on Saturday, we sent home 172 people,” said V K Pandey, General Manager NHIDCL. ALSO WATCH | Gulmarg, Pahalgam receives fresh snowfall, Kashmir packed with tourists The work on the Zojila tunnel has been stopped for two weeks and a decision would be taken after a team of experts who predict the avalanches gives a report of resuming the work. Although the accumulation of snow is around five to six feet which makes it look unlikely that work would be started soon. “Last year we were working throughout the winter because last year there was no occurrence of avalanches. But this year we have witnessed 4 avalanches, this was more severe. So, we have got the direction from the administration to suspend the work for the time being, till the situation improves. At least work is suspended for next two weeks, we are planning to call the experts who can predict the snow avalanches during the end of January. We will take their advice and then we will resume the work. we have all the precautions to start the work,” said Pandey. The snow has created havoc for the local population as well. The roads are completely cut off from the rest of the districts, especially in Ganderbal's Sonamarg and North Kashmir's Kupwara, where the accumulation of snow has been around six feet. The majority of people living in these higher reaches have shifted to safer locations and people in the hilly areas have been advised to remain vigilant and not venture out during the nighttime. ALSO READ | Fresh snowfall in Kashmir disrupts traffic on national highway, affects flights' schedule These villages in the Ganderbal district are facing a shortage of electricity, water supply and road connectivity. The people are asking the government to open the roads so that the needy and sick people in these villages can be taken to hospitals without any hassle. “We have a lot of problems in the area, the roads are completely cut off due to snow, issues of electricity and water supply, and there is no ambulance service nor the hospital. The roads have not been cleared as we have more than two feet of snow. We have to shift our sick people more than 20 km to reach a hospital or doctor. Sonamarg villages have been relocated. Due to the danger of avalanches, all those people have been taken out of those places. Electricity is also an issue with hefty electricity bills,” said Irfan Ahmad, a local resident of Gagangir Sonamarg. The locals from these areas have demanded the government to open all the roads cut off due to heavy snowfall in higher reaches. The power cuts in these areas are longer than eight hours a day and some people said that they can’t even charge their phones. ALSO READ | Two terrorists belonging to LeT killed in Budgam encounter “We have a lot of problems due to the fresh snowfall. The roads are not cleared, there is no electricity, and there should be a hospital close by where we can take our sick people. The main concern is road connectivity, Our hospital is 10 km away and we can't move on the roads as they are covered with snow. Government has issued a warning to not venture out in the area, but we only come when we desperately need to, like taking sick people to hospital. If the roads were cleared it would be easy. We also lose our employment due to heavy snowfall. We hardly get electricity to even charge our mobile phones. There is no fire service either. They are over 25 km away,” said Ishfaq Ahmad, a local resident of Gagangir Sonamarg. The government of Jammu and Kashmir has issued an avalanche warning across the ten districts of the Union Territory. People living in higher reaches have been advised to stay alert. The MeT has predicted another wet spell from January 18 to 25. However, there would be moderate to heavy snowfall from January 24 to January 25. Additionally, keeping in view the snow accumulation and prediction, Jammu and Kashmir along Ladakh have been put on high alert. Hence, the rescue teams have been kept on stand-by to meet any untoward incidents in these areas. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Over 1100 people rescued, relocated from avalanche prone areas in Kashmir. MeT predicts more snow after Jan 18

By Syed Khalid Hussain

Two Swedish skiers were trapped in an avalanche at Affarwat peaks in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir.

While one of the skiers was successfully rescued, the other was reported dead.

Despite an avalanche warning, the skiers were allowed to ski from the 2nd phase of Gandola Affarwat.

Authorities here issued an&nbsp;avalanche warning for the upper, snow-covered, hilly areas of north Kashmir including the Gulmarg hills.

Fresh snowfall on the upper reaches of Gulmarg&nbsp;damaged the 2nd phase Gandola cable car ski slopes.

Although skiing from 13000ft high Affarwa hills became riskier, the skiers managed to reach the hills.

A small intensity snow avalanche occurred in the area and caught both the skiers.

The skiers were in Gulmarg for a short trip.

Gulmarg is known as one of the best ski resorts in the world.

It&rsquo;s wild slopes attract thousands of skiers from all across the globe.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Syed Khalid Hussain, WION)

By Syed Khalid Hussain Two Swedish skiers were trapped in an avalanche at Affarwat peaks in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir. While one of the skiers was successfully rescued, the other was reported dead. Despite an avalanche warning, the skiers were allowed to ski from the 2nd phase of Gandola Affarwat. Authorities here issued an avalanche warning for the upper, snow-covered, hilly areas of north Kashmir including the Gulmarg hills. Fresh snowfall on the upper reaches of Gulmarg damaged the 2nd phase Gandola cable car ski slopes. Although skiing from 13000ft high Affarwa hills became riskier, the skiers managed to reach the hills. A small intensity snow avalanche occurred in the area and caught both the skiers. The skiers were in Gulmarg for a short trip. Gulmarg is known as one of the best ski resorts in the world. It’s wild slopes attract thousands of skiers from all across the globe. (With inputs from Syed Khalid Hussain, WION)

Kashmir: Avalanche hits Affarwat hills, Swedish skier killed

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