Ganderbal, May 08: Several people had a narrow escape on Monday after their vehicle was hit by a massive avalanche at Zojila Pass in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
An official told Rising Kashmir that Traffic on the 434km Srinagar-Leh highway was also suspended due to heavy snowfall and multiple avalanches that occurred near Panimatha and Captain Morh along with Zojila pass on Monday.
Hundreds of vehicles carrying passengers, including loaded Tata Mobiles were brought back by Sonamarg Police after they got stuck at Zojila pass after the road was blocked due to inclement weather conditions.
He said that two vehicles (Tempo Traveller and a Xylo Vehicle) skidded off the road and rolled down into a gorge after an avalanche hit them in between Captain morh and Panimatha. “However there is no loss of any human life and all the persons in the vehicle are safe”, police officials said.
He said that the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which is responsible for the maintenance of the highway, has already put into service manpower as well as sophisticated machines to put through the highway.
A police official said soon after receiving the information about avalanche rescue teams, including the police party from P/S Sonamarg including SHO Fayaz Ahmad Army’s 34 Assam Rifles Gund Company, MEIL ,BRO and others officers reached the spot and rescued passengers. “But the vehicles could not be recovered following heavy snowfall. All the vehicles that were heading from Sonamarg to Kargil, were brought back to Sonamarg ” he added.
A BRO official said that on Monday vehicles released from Sonamarg towards Kargil got trapped in between the area of Panimata and India Gate following inclement weather and snowfall.
He said Beacon authorities have provided all necessary assistance to the civilian passengers.adding that a total number of 129 passengers have been evacuated towards Ranga Morh Dett of BRO where they will be served food.
According to the latest reports, Zojila received 8 inches, Sonamarg one inch, Baltal three of fresh Snowfall.
