Ganderbal, Feb 19: Following heavy snowfall over the past two days, Sonmarg, a picturesque town in Ganderbal district, has encountered challenging conditions, resulting in significant disruptions to transportation and minor incidents of avalanches. The adverse weather conditions led to the temporary closure of the Road on Monday due to slippery roads.
Reports from local authorities confirmed a minor avalanche occurrence in the Hung stretch area on Monday. Fortunately, no damage was reported, ensuring the safety of residents and travelers in the vicinity.
In response to the ongoing heavy snowfall, authorities have imposed restrictions on vehicular movement beyond Gagangir in Sonmarg. Only vehicles equipped with anti-skid chains were allowed to traverse from Z-Morh tunnel to Sonmarg, prioritizing safety amidst the treacherous conditions.
The district administration in Ganderbal swiftly mobilized resources to tackle the snowfall, deploying personnel from Gund Police, Sonmarg Police, Traffic Police, Tourism Police, Tehsil Admin Gund and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Gund Component to manage the situation effectively.
Simultaneously, the Border Roads Organization (BRO) initiated snow removal operations on the Sonamarg road to restore accessibility. However, during the clearance process, an unforeseen incident occurred at Hotel Imperial Resort in Sonmarg. “Mirrors at Hotel Imperial resort in Sonamarg damaged when a snow cutter passed through during snow clearance operations.”
Despite these challenges, authorities remain vigilant and are working diligently to mitigate the impact of the heavy snowfall, ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and visitors in Sonmarg. Travelers are advised to exercise caution and adhere to advisories issued by local authorities during this period of inclement weather.
