Ladakh, July 09: Unpredictable weather conditions hit wide parts of Ladakh, including the Kargil district, as unseasonal snowfall and heavy rains caused havoc in the region. The meteorological department issued a red alert, warning residents and authorities about the severe weather conditions. Meanwhile, scattered rains were observed in the plain areas of the Kashmir valley.
Officials reported fresh snowfall in the Rangdum area of Kargil since early morning. The downpour triggered landslides at Lamayuru and Pandrass on the Srinagar-Leh Ladakh highway, leading to the closure of the strategic roadway. As a precautionary measure, traffic on the Kargil-Zanskar Road was suspended.
Tragically, a fatal incident occurred due to a heavy landslide at the Pandrass area. A rockfall onto a vehicle resulted in the unfortunate death of an individual. Local authorities and the Ladakh Police, upon receiving the information, launched a rescue operation. The driver of the Maruti Benz, identified as Mohd Kazim, was found dead at the spot. Fortunately, no one else in the truck accompanying the vehicle suffered any injuries or losses.
The fallen rock had blocked the highway, but with the help of the public and Ladakh Police officials, the road was eventually cleared. Additionally, the area experienced around 4 to 5 inches of fresh snowfall, while scattered rainfall was recorded in the lower reaches of Kashmir, including the summer capital Srinagar.
Officials highlighted that Kargil was witnessing intermediate rainfall in lower areas and snowfall in higher reaches, leading to road closures caused by snowfall, flash floods, and shooting stones. The sudden change in climate has disrupted normal life in both the lower and upper reaches of the region.
As a result of the climatic variations, people have started wearing warm clothes and utilizing heaters in vehicles to combat the adverse conditions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red color warning for Ladakh for the next 24 hours, anticipating widespread rain and snowfall over higher reaches to persist during this period.
The unseasonal snowfall and heavy rains have brought unexpected challenges to the region, requiring residents and authorities to adapt and take necessary precautions to ensure safety and minimize disruptions to daily life.
