Deadly Avalanche Hits Ladakh’s  Khardung La During ‘Chillai-Kalan’: Claims Three Lives, Seven Feared Trapped

In a fatal incident today (18 January), an avalanche in Khardung La in Jammu & Kashmir’s Ladakh division has killed three civilians, while seven others are believed to be trapped under the snow, reports The Indian Express. The Army, police and disaster relief forces are currently conducting rescue operations to free the trapped survivors.

“Rescue operation was launched after civilians got buried under snow. It is believed that they were digging snow at Khardung La in Leh. Digging triggered a snow slide and civilians got buried. We are fearing that the civilians are trapped,” stated Deputy Commissioner Leh, Avny Lavasa.

The whole state is currently witnessing extremely cold temperatures, with the mercury falling to as much as minus 1.3 degree Celsius in the state capital Srinagar, and the famous tourist site Gulmarg witnessing temperatures going as low as minus 10 degrees Celsius.

In Ladakh division’s capital Leh, the temperature went even lower, with the mountain town recording lows of up to minus 12 degrees Celsius.

This period of brutal cold in Kashmir is called ‘Chillai-Kalan’ and is supposed to last forty days in the peak of winter; it will come to an end on 31 January.