Avalanche hits two vehicles at Zojila Pass, passengers rescued

The incident took place near Panimatha Captain Mode at Zojil Pass. Soon after the incident, the Indian Army launched a rescue operation and its Avalance Rescue Team along with medical teams was involved in evacuating stranded tourists.

Srinagar: At least two vehicles were buried under snow after they skidded off the road due to an avalanche that hit the Srinagar-Kargil highway at Zojila Pass on Monday. The incident took place near Panimatha Captain Mode at Zojil Pass. Soon after the incident, the Indian Army launched a rescue operation and its Avalance Rescue Team along with medical teams was involved in evacuating stranded tourists.

According to reports, no one was injured in the incident and all the occupants of the ill-fated vehicles were rescued. However, vehicles could not be retrieved due to the bad weather. Images and videos of the rescue operation also surfaced online. The relief work is still in progress. The vehicles were reportedly travelling to Kargil from Srinagar. The Srinagar-Kargil highway has been closed for traffic movement after the incident.

The Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority has already issued avalanche warnings in Union Territory. Avalanche with 'low' danger level is likely to occur above 2,400-3,200 metres over Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts in the next 24 hours, the disaster management authority officials said. Avalanche with 'medium' danger level is likely to occur above 2,800 metres over the Ganderbal district, they said.

People in these districts have been advised to take precautions and avoid venturing to avalanche-prone areas till further orders, they added. Many areas in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir received fresh snowfall while the plains were lashed by rain over the past three days.