Rescue operation continues at Siachen

Pakistan

Rescue operation continues at Siachen

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The rescue operation for 135 people buried in the snow continues despite bad weather conditions.

10 April,2012 02:26 pm

Bad weather on Tuesday could not slow down efforts to boost the search for 135 people buried in an avalanche at Pakistan army’s Siachen camp, army spokesman said.“Despite weather hazards, rescue work continues at Gayari” ISPR said in statement.“A total of 452 person including 69 civilians are employed on relief efforts, two Dozers, two JCB (Earth Mover), three Excavator and two dumpers are working day and night on the site” it said adding that five points have been identified on the site where rescue work is in progress.The statement further said that two points were being dug with equipment while three points were being dug by human force.Foreign rescue teams, including six members German team, three member Switzerland team have arrived in Pakistan and waiting for weather clearance to proceed to Gayari.“Seven members SPD team is using life detection kit and thermal imaging camera during the rescue operation” ISPR said.Even rescue efforts continued for forth day but analysts said there is a very little hope for survivors.It has been over four days since a huge wall of snow crashed into the remote Siachen Glacier base high in the Himalayan mountains, and experts said there is little hope of finding survivors, though no bodies have been recovered yet.Specially trained search-and-rescue teams of army engineers equipped with locating gadgets and heavy machinery have also joined rescue units aided by sniffer dogs and helicopters.But a senior military official said attempts to send extra equipment up to help with the search on Tuesday had been delayed.The military had arranged a C-130 cargo plane to lift some machinery up to the area, but bad weather did not allow the flight.According to glacier expert Dr Ghulam Rasool, the weather would remain harsh for few more days.He said that weather in Siachen region would be normal till April 12 and machinery and human resources could able to airlift in suitable weather conditions.Dr. Ghulam Rasool said this incident was rare and unusual as snow usually do not melt in April added that avalanche activities started in the end of May and June.He feared harsh weather condition could affect ongoing rescue operation.The military camp was engulfed between 5:00 am and 6:00 am on Saturday by a mass of snow, stones, mud and slush more than 1,000 metres (3,300 feet) wide and 25 metres high, according to the military.