Due to heavy snowfall in the higher reaches of Jammu & Kashmir, authorities on Monday issued an avalanche warning in the four districts of Kupwara, Bandipora, Baramulla and Ganderbal.
A medium danger avalanche warning was issued in Kupwara and Bandipora in North Kashmir, while a low danger warning was issued for the higher reaches of Ganderbal and Baramulla.
The Srinagar-Jammu national highway was closed because of landslides in the Ramban sector. Due to the snow and rains, the Mughal Road and the Srinagar-Leh highway also remained closed for traffic.
From Saturday till Monday morning, the higher reaches of the Kashmir valley received a lot of snow. According to weather department officials, Gulmarg recorded 19 cm of snow. The popular tourist destination of Sonmarg also received the season’s first snowfall, while Pahalgam in South Kashmir witnessed light snowfall.
According to the India Meteorological Department, the weather has improved since Monday noon, but light rain or scattered snow in some places is likely in the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, 10 civilians were rescued from the Sinthan Pass, which connects Kashmir’s Anantnag district with Kishtwar in the Jammu region. A spokesman said that a joint team of the army and the police trekked for five hours without any visibility on Sunday night and brought down the 10 trapped civilians.