Over 220 Passengers Rescued After Heavy Snow Traps 31 Vehicles at J&K’s Sinthan Top

ANANTNAG, J&K | March 16, 2026 — A major midnight rescue operation successfully evacuated over 220 passengers after 31 vehicles became stranded at the high-altitude Sinthan Top due to a sudden and intense spell of snowfall.

The fresh accumulation of snow completely blocked the mountain pass late Sunday, prompting an urgent SOS from travelers caught in the freezing conditions. In response, a joint emergency mission was launched by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and the Jammu and Kashmir Police, who worked for several hours under extreme weather conditions to clear the route and reach those in distress.

The operation concluded successfully around 11:30 PM, with all passengers and their vehicles safely escorted to Kokernag town. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported during the incident, a success that senior police officials attributed to the seamless and timely coordination between the recovery agencies and law enforcement.

Following the rescue, authorities have issued a stern advisory urging travelers to verify weather reports and road conditions before attempting journeys through high-altitude passes, stressing that strict adherence to official advisories is essential to prevent such life-threatening situations in the future.