Srinagar: The Indian Army on Friday rescued stranded civilians near Zoji La pass area in Ladakh. According to reports, civilians were stranded due to heavy snowfall on the night of 21st and 22nd November.
In coordination with the civil administration, Army rescue columns moved in vehicles promptly with aid and administrative assistance to rescue the stranded civilians from the Zojila Pass.
Due to the continuing westerly disturbances, the areas of Sonamarg, Baltal and Nilgrar upto Zojila Pass received heavy snowfall. Besides, a large number of loaded trucks and passenger vehicles had moved from Sonamarg towards Zoji La Pass.
"The untimely and heavy snowfall, especially on the higher reaches, resulted in many vehicles skidding off the road and getting stranded in the snow, causing traffic jam at many places," the press release read. Almost 250-300 trucks and passenger vehicles got stranded near the Zojila Pass.
The traffic jam resulted in a very dangerous situation, wherein approximately 300-350 people, including women and children, were stranded at heights above 11,000 feet height and temperatures at minus 7 degrees.
The stranded vehicles were recovered and the passengers of the vehicles which were stuck badly were evacuated safely back to Sonamarg town in Army vehicles.
