More than 200 tourists and local residents stranded at Sinthan Pass in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district were rescued after heavy snowfall blocked movement in the high-altitude region.
Army and J&K Police Rescue Over 200 Stranded at Snowbound Sinthan Pass
Srinagar: Heavy snowfall left hundreds of people stranded at the Sinthan Pass in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Monday. The continuous snowfall and bad weather completely disrupted mountain road traffic. Around 214 tourists and locals were stranded at the high-altitude pass, prompting a rescue and relief operation.
The Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police jointly conducted a rescue operation to safely evacuate the stranded people. According to officials, a team from the Indian Army's 19th Rashtriya Rifles and Anantnag Police personnel carried out the rescue operation despite the inclement weather. The teams reached the victims under difficult conditions and evacuated them to safety.
Officials stated that the rescue operation faced challenges including continuous snowfall, slippery roads, and extremely low visibility. Despite this, the Army and Police personnel demonstrated courage and presence of mind to ensure the operation was successful. Rescue teams evacuated all stranded tourists and locals one by one.
Following the rescue operation, all 214 people were taken to safe places. The administration stated that no injuries have been reported at this time. Following the completion of the rescue operation, the local administration also appealed to people to avoid traveling in mountainous areas during bad weather.
The Meteorological Department has predicted continued snowfall in the high altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir for the next few days. The administration has advised tourists and locals to remain vigilant and to travel only after consulting the weather forecast to avoid such situations.
