Brit' Trekkers Airlifted As Avalanches Hit Kashmir
Eight British trekkers have been airlifted to safety during avalanches which have killed hundreds of people and trapped many others in the Indian state of Kashmir in the Himalayas.
Avalanches kill hundreds as eight British trekkers airlifted to
safety in Kashmir
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Image of Srinagar, by
Javeed Shah,
courtesy of Expressindia.com
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The Indian state of Kashmir has been hit by the worst snow storms in
15 years, setting off avalanches that have so far killed at least 145
people. Thousands of people are reported stranded on the Jammu
- Srinigar main road, with 300 trapped in the 3-km long
Jawahar Tunnel.
Latest reports put the total number of people airlifted by the
Indian Air Force at a staggering 15,000. In addition food parcels are
being dropped to cut off villages and the ends of the Jawahar Tunnel.
The city of Srinigar is also relying on fuel and provisions drops
from the IAF
Amongst those airlifted to safety are eight British trekkers on
the Padam to Zanskar route in Jammu and Kashmir, with a further 40
foreign trekkers being picked up by the Indian Air Force yesterday.
"Because of heavy snow, we are unable to establish contact with
most of the remote areas. The number of dead could increase as
reports start to trickle in," quoted a senior administrator of
Kashmir valley.
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