Record breaking snow in Gulmarg
Houses cave-in, shadow cast on skiing championship
KT NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, Feb 12: The massive snowfall at Gulmarg is likely to breaking all the past records as by this afternoon it had already crossed 9.5 feet making it the heaviest snowfall in last 25 years. The snow has cast shadow on the forthcoming international skiing event scheduled to start from next week.

"This is the heaviest snowfall in last 25 years and the problem is that it is still snowing. We have already 9.5 feet here and if it continues to snow at this pace, some more feet will accumulate", Farooq Ahmad Shah, chief executive officer, Gulmarg Development Authority told KTNS.

The authorities are trying hard to keep Gulmarg connected and the vital road link with Tangmarg has been continously cleared of snow. "We have no power here from some days but the road is still functional. The strip between Zig to Gulmarg is extremely treacherous but we are trying hard", he said. There are apprehensions of avalanches from the upper reaches where the snow has crossed 10 feet mark.

The massive snow has cast shadow over organising the three day international skiing championship scheduled to begin from February 19. "The championship is still on schedule and we have made all the preparations for it. But if it continues to snow, the event is unlikely", Shah said. Some 40 participants from 10 countries including Japan, Norway, New Zealand and Iran were scheduled to participate in the event.

Reports said a number of tourists have fled the tourist spot. Some three dozen foreigners and several domestic tourists are still there and they are enjoying the skiing. The authorities at Gulmarg said the situation is still under control but further snow will complicate the problems.

The snow, reports said, has posed the biggest threat to the tourist infrastructure at the hill resort. The first storeys of all the structures are covered by snow while the snow has reached almost the roof tops of the single storey structures. All the hotels and huts at Gulrmag, it is pertinent to mention, have been booked for five months from March onwards and there has been a continous flow of more bookings.

To make that happen, the men and machinery there has been geared up and people are clearing the roof tops to prevent the structures from collapsing. In the adjoing Dreng, people residing in single storey structures have dug tunnels and have to pass through them to remain in touch with each other.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Khursheed A Ganai, meanwhile, said the administration has been alerted in Gulmarg and other areas as houses there have started to cave in.

"We have sounded a red alert and administration has been fully geared-up. We have asked the officials to go to the people and ask them to remain vigilant against the caving-in of houses. We have also instructed the people to clear the snow from the roofs so that there is no caving in. Plus we have pressed our men into service to clear the snow and avert any untoward incident", said Ganai.