SRINAGAR, KASHMIR // A family of four and a soldier was killed after a series of avalanches struck Indian-administered Kashmir on Wednesday.
The four family members died when an avalanche ripped through the small village of Badugam in the Gurez area, close to the unofficial border with Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, while they were asleep in their home.
Police and rescuers managed to pull an 18 year old man from the mounds of snow, but he was the only survivor.
“The avalanche struck the village at 4am, killing four members of a family. One survivor was rescued,” said Javid Gillani, the inspector general of police for the region.
The victims were a 17 year old boy, his 19-year-old sister and both parents.
The soldier was killed when another avalanche hit an army barracks in the northern area of Sonmarg, said a military spokesman.
Indian-administered Kashmir has been witnessing one of the severest winters in recent decades, with heavy snow across the territory and temperature dropping to -7°C.
Meteorologists have forecast more heavy snow across the territory over the next three days.
Authorities had already issued avalanche warnings, advising residents in mountainous areas not to venture out.
Police last week evacuated 80 villagers from Waltengoo Nar — where dozens were killed after a series of avalanches hit the area in 2005 — in the south of the territory.
* Agence France-Presse
