Ladakh Avalanche Updates: Seven people were killed, and several others were injured after a massive avalanche struck Zoji La Pass in Ladakh on Friday. The avalanche buried several vehicles and blocked the Srinagar-Leh Highway, leaving many travellers stranded. Snow clearance and rescue operations are currently underway.

Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, took to X to express condolences. "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 have been put on high alert. I am personally monitoring the situation," he wrote.

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7 Killed In Massive Avalanche In Ladakh

Sub Divisional Magistrate Drass, Vishal Atri, said seven people, including  a woman and a child, have been confirmed dead after a massive avalanche hit the Srinagar-Leh highway at Zojila Pass in Drass on Friday, Hindustan Times reported.

At least 15 vehicles were partially or completely buried under snow when the avalanche hit Captain Turn at Zojila Pass in Drass in the afternoon, police said.

"A large stretch of the highway has been affected, and when we reached the site we saw some 12-15 vehicles under the snow. We couldn't go to the back side of the avalanche," Atri said.

As soon as the news of the avalanche was received, the administration launched a large-scale rescue operation involving the police, army, Border Roads Organisation, SDRF, and the district administrations of Sonamarg and Drass. Men and machinery are working to clear the snow on the highway and look for any people trapped under the snow.

Officials further warned that the death toll is expected to rise, as several vehicles remain buried under the avalanche debris.

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The Sub Divisional Magistrate stated that the administration has subsequently coordinated with the Beacon unit of the Border Roads Organisation and the Army to launch rescue operations from both sides of the highway - Sonamarg side in Kashmir and Drass side in Ladakh.

"More than 100 people will be involved in the rescue operation besides the snow clearance machines. There is police, SDRF, BRO, army ambulances and we have also taken help from personnel of Megha tunnel. The rescue operation from the Kashmir side was hindered owing to the traffic jam as there was an up-convoy from that side," he added.

The rescue operation has been underway for the past few hours since 1 PM and is expected to continue for another three to four hours.


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