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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox event
| title = 2016 Siachen Glacier avalanche
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| date = 3 February 2016
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| location = [[Karakoram Range]]
| coordinates = {{coord|35.4|N|77.1|E|display=inline,title}}
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| reported deaths = 10 Indian Soldiers
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On 3 February 2016, an [[avalanche]] hit an [[Indian Army|Indian military]] base in northern [[Siachen Glacier]] region, trapping 10 soldiers under deep snow.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/avalanche-traps-10-army-personnel-in-siachen/article8188282.ece |title=Avalanche buries 10 Army personnel in Siachen |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=3 February 2016 |accessdate=20 February 2016}}</ref>

==Background==
{{Main|Siachen conflict}}
On an average, India spends {{INR|link=yes}}50 million a day for maintaining troops on the glacier. More soldiers have been killed in the Siachen glacier owing to weather than by enemy fire over the years. Over 870 soldiers have lost their lives due to climatic conditions and environmental factors since the Army launched [[Operation Meghdoot]] in 1984, preempting [[Pakistan]]’s attempt to occupy the strategic heights. The guns fell silent after India and Pakistan declared a ceasefire along the Line of Control Actual Ground Position Line in November 2003.

==Avalanche==
Ten soldiers died under snow after their camp in the northern part of the Siachen glacier was hit by a major avalanche.

==Rescue operation==
[[Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad]], a 32-year-old Indian soldier with the 19th battalion of the [[Madras Regiment]] of the Indian Army, survived the massive avalanche and was found on 8 February during post-disaster avalanche rescue operations by the Indian Army, six days after the disaster. He was rescued from 35 feet beneath the snow in −45 °C temperatures, six days after an avalanche hit an Indian Army post in Siachen, at an altitude of 19,600 feet.<ref name = "pib9feb16-136250">Press Information Bureau, pib.nic.in, Release Id :136250 dated 9 February 2016</ref>

CT scan showed evidence of oxygen deprivation to the brain. He had pneumonia in both the lungs along with liver and kidney dysfunction. There was no cold exposure related frostbite or bone injuries. He was placed on Ventilator. His health was critical, but news of his survival gave family members a chance to celebrate. Nine other personnel at the post, including a junior commissioned officer (JCO) of Madras Regiment, died in the incident.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/soldier-rescued-from-siachen-glacier-admitted-to-delhi-hospital/article8212271.ece KT Siachen avalanche: Siachen survivor ‘currently comatose, continues to be in shock’ – The Hindu]</ref> His family's and the country's celebration was short-lived as he eventually died at the military Hospital in New Delhi due to [[multiple organ failure]]. Hanumanthappa died on 11 February 2016 at 11:45 hrs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/siachen-soldier-lance-naik-hanamanthappa-koppad-passes-away/ |title=Siachen braveheart Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad passes away, nation pays tribute; last rites today |work=The Indian Express |date=12 February 2016 |accessdate=20 February 2016}}</ref>

Indian news channels reports, depicting the bravery of the soldier. Several political parties and politicians themselves praised the soldier's will that in spite of all odds, he did not lose hope and was finally rescued. Shortly thereafter, Koppad died. President,<ref name = "pib11feb16-136330">Press Information Bureau, pib.nic.in, Release Id :136330 dated 11 February 2016</ref> Vice President<ref name = "pib11feb16-136326">Press Information Bureau, pib.nic.in, Release Id :136326 dated 11 February 2016</ref> and Prime Minister of India<ref name = "pib11feb16-136318">Press Information Bureau, pib.nic.in, Release Id :136318 dated 11 February 2016</ref> condoled his death. [[Manohar Parrikar|Defence Minister of India]] and the three service chiefs<ref name="toi-11feb16">{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Siachen-braveheart-goes-down-fighting/articleshow/50954084.cms|title = Siachen braveheart goes down fighting | India News - Times of India}}</ref> paid homage to the departed soldier before his body was taken to his native village where last rites were performed with military honour.

==See also==
* [[List of avalanches]]
* [[Environmental issues in Siachen]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Disasters in India in 2016}}

{{#seo:
|keywords=2016 natural disasters, Natural disasters in India, 2010s avalanches, Siachen conflict, 2016 disasters in India, February 2016 events in India, Disasters in Jammu and Kashmir
|description=
}}

[[Category:2016 natural disasters]]
[[Category:Natural disasters in India]]
[[Category:2010s avalanches]]
[[Category:Siachen conflict]]
[[Category:2016 disasters in India]]
[[Category:February 2016 events in India]]
[[Category:Disasters in Jammu and Kashmir]]

2016 Siachen Glacier avalanche - Revision history

MetaBOT at 19:01, 8 July 2023