Zojila Avalanche Emergency: Multiple Vehicles Trapped Near Sonamarg; Massive Rescue Operation Underway

Ganderbal, Mar 27: A high-intensity avalanche struck the critical Zojila axis near Zero Point on Friday, leaving several vehicles trapped under a massive accumulation of snow.

The incident has triggered an urgent, multi-agency response, with teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Border Roads Organization (BRO) rushing to the site.

Early reports from the scene tragically indicate two casualties, while an estimated six to eight vehicles remain stuck beneath the debris. Rescue personnel are currently working against time and freezing temperatures to locate survivors and stabilize the high-altitude pass that serves as the primary link between Kashmir and Ladakh.

The ongoing rescue efforts are facing extreme difficulty due to the precarious nature of the terrain and the potential for secondary slides. Despite these hazards, emergency teams are utilizing heavy machinery and specialized search equipment to reach those trapped in their vehicles.

The Zojila–Sonamarg stretch has been immediately closed to all civilian traffic to allow unobstructed access for disaster management units.

Authorities have issued a stern advisory for travelers to stay away from the area as the situation remains critical, with the priority centered on extracting those caught in the snow and preventing further loss of life.