7 Killed, 5 Injured In Avalanche At Zojila Pass, Which Connects J&Okay And Ladakh
At least 7 folks misplaced their lives, and 5 had been injured, on Friday after an enormous avalanche struck the Srinagar-Leh freeway. The snow slide hit the Ladakh aspect of the Zojila Pass, leaving a number of passenger automobiles trapped beneath the particles.
Following the incident, the freeway has been fully blocked. Authorities have launched large-scale rescue and clearance operations to take away the snow and restore visitors.
The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, who’s personally monitoring the state of affairs, stated, “Heard the unfortunate news of an avalanche at Zoji La. I have directed the DC & SSP of Kargil to visit the spot immediately and mobilise relief and rescue operations. All government agencies, including disaster relief forces and BRO (Borders Road Organisation), have been put on high alert.”
Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed the deaths on X (previously Twitter). “Saddened to learn about the tragic death of 7 persons and injuries to 5 after an avalanche hit the vehicle at Zojila pass. My sincere condolences to the bereaved families. All required assistance is being provided to the injured,” he wrote.
Teams from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the police are working to clear the particles and find anybody who should still be trapped.
The Srinagar-Leh Highway, referred to as NH-1, is an important 434-km-long route that serves as the principle hyperlink between Srinagar and Leh. Passing via the Zojila Pass at an altitude of 11,575 ft, the street is known for its surroundings and high-altitude challenges. Because of the heavy snowfall and harmful terrain, this part of the freeway typically faces closures in the course of the winter months.
To resolve the problem of seasonal closures, a significant tunnel is at the moment beneath development throughout the Zojila Pass. Once it’s completed, it should present a secure, all-weather connection between Ladakh and the remainder of India. The challenge features a single-tube, two-lane tunnel that’s 14.2 km lengthy, 9.5 metres huge, and sits at an altitude of roughly 12,000 ft. Upon completion, the Zojila Tunnel is ready to change into the longest tunnel in Asia.
With inputs from companies
