Global warming, ecological changes and heavy shelling by Pakistani troops are triggering avalanches in places like Jammu and Kashmir, which had not reported such instances earlier, Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat said on Sunday.
“Ceasefire violations and use of heavy weapons by Pakistani troops are leading to loosening of soil, thus creating danger of a landslide. Global warming is also leading to cracks in glaciers,” Gen. Rawat told reporters after paying homage to Major Amit Sagar, who lost his life in an avalanche on January 25, at Sonmarg.
The Army Chief lauded the contribution of Major Sagar, officer of the Territorial Army, saying he had volunteered for the posting despite the hardships there.
As many as 21 persons, including 15 Army men, have been killed since last week due to avalanches and snowfall-related incidents in the Kashmir Valley.
He said the State has been witnessing heavy snowfall over the past 72 hours, and is likely to witness similar conditions for the next two-three days.
“Due to global warming, glaciers are witnessing cracks. Avalanches have occurred in Dawar areas, Machil sectors. We have erected some posts for counter-infiltration,” he said.
Soil loosens up
Some posts are very near to enemy posts. “There has been a lot of ceasefire violations and heavy weapons too are being used. Many times it affects the soil and loosens it up. When there is a heavy snowfall on such a loose soil and if there is a slope, it triggers danger of an avalanche,” Gen. Rawat said.
He said the Army withdraws troops from places where there is possibility of an avalanche.
