NEELUM (Kashmir English): At least three people were buried under an avalanche on Tuesday morning in Dodgian village adjacent to the tourist spot Taobat in the Upper Neelum Valley, while two people miraculously survived.
Five youths who went to the forest in the upper area of Gurez Valley in the Neelum district of Azad Kashmir were hit by an avalanche where two managed to save their lives, while three others were buried.
As per details, a joint search and rescue operation by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Pak Army teams, and local people is underway.
Rescue officials said that Munir son of Alamgir, Tehsil son of Syed Miran, and Waheed son of Mashkoor, all residents of Phulavai, were buried in the glacier avalanche and the search is ongoing. Two 14 to 15-year-old boys survived the accident.
Local citizen Ashfaq Ahmed Khan told Kashmir Digital that rescue operations are facing difficulties due to snowfall and weather conditions.
SP Neelum Khawaja Siddique Ahmed said that the accident took place at a height of 10,000 feet in Dodgian. The surviving boy said that they went hunting in the forest and there was already more than 10 feet of snow at the place of the accident, while more snowfall is also ongoing.
Currently, snowfall is in Upper Neelum, while heavy rain is continuing in Lower Neelum. The main highway from Neelum to Chalhana to Phulavai has been restored for traffic, but it is not suitable for travel.
The Deputy Commissioner/Chairman DDMA Neelum has directed all rescue services to remain on high alert during this time.
Areas like Jagran, Karka Lari Mengal, Lawat Manhan, Sargan, Nala Shunthar, and union councils of Upper and Lahore Grace where glaciers are at risk are ordered to remain cautious.
