LEEPA VALLEY (Kashmir English): The Highways Department staff, who went missing due to in Leepa Valley avalanches and heavy snowfall after rescuing 100 stranded travellers at Reshian, have been found safe, with communication restored as they navigate extreme weather conditions back to safety.
The harsh weather conditions in the region had also left around 100 travellers abandoned at Reshian for two days. Risking their own lives, the field staff of the Highways Department successfully transported these stranded passengers to safety in Leepa Valley Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) earlier today.
Recently, heavy snowfall and avalanches had forced the closure of Reshian-Leepa Road for all traffic, with authorities warning travellers to avoid unnecessary movement until weather conditions improve.
The area staff of the Highways Department, who had been missing for several hours due to heavy snowfall and avalanches in the Leepa Valley, have been located, and communication with them has been restored, according to the unit’s representative.
However, while making their way back to Reshian after the rescue operation, the staff experienced an extreme snowstorm, freezing winds, and landslides. As a result, all contact with them was lost, sparking worry and anxiety within the department. Their families also faced great distress, fearing for their safety amid the intense circumstances.
The representative confirmed that contact with the staff has now been re-established, but they are still working through heavy snowfall, avalanches, and powerful winds as they slowly make their way back to Reshian. The dangerous journey continues, posing significant risks to their safety.
In the difficult times, the representatives have urged the people to pray for the safe return of the department’s workers, who have been placing their lives on the line to help the people of the region. Their courage and commitment to providing the safety of travellers, despite such harsh conditions, have been widely recognised and admired.
In mountainous areas, avalanches are a serious hazard, particularly during periods of intense snowfall and erratic weather. In a matter of seconds, these enormous snow slides have the power to bury highways, cut off communication, and endanger lives. There are several risks for both visitors and rescuers, including asphyxia, hypothermia, and being buried by tonnes of snow.
Rescue efforts are dangerous because avalanches are unpredictable and can cause secondary slides due to shifting snow and ongoing storms. Despite these risks, courageous people like the employees of the Highways Department are putting their lives in jeopardy to make sure stranded travellers get to safety. Their bravery serves as a reminder of how urgently improved forecasts, safety protocols, and emergency planning are needed in such dangerous areas.
