Srinagar, Jan 7: Controlled avalanche was triggered at the Ski resort of Gulmarg on Tuesday as part of safety measures for the skiers.

The Ski patrolling team conducted a blast at the snow slopes of Kongdori and Affarwat peaks in Gulmarg on Tuesday that produced an avalanche in the area, Snow Safety Officer of Ski Patrolling Team Gulmarg Brian Newman told media.

Newman said it was not a snowstorm or avalanche but it came from an explosion created during a mock drill to see how such a situation can be dealt with in time.

It was also created to pave the way for skiing in the area.

Officials said that as part of routine winter exercises, controlled blasting was conducted at Affarwat for slope preparation and to minimize future avalanche risks.

This resulted in an avalanche, which was carefully managed

“This practice has been in place for years, and there is no cause for concern”, they said.

Meanwhile, the annual training programme in Skiing organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports (YSS) J&K started on Tuesday at the picturesque Gulmarg here.

The yearly Training course for Batch first comprising boys students was inaugurated by Joint Director Kashmir of Youth Services and Sports Department Mohammad Rashid Kohili.

The batch of student skiers comprising 50 students mostly from Government Schools of various districts of the J&K are participating in the 15-day basic training course.

UNI