It is reported that the avalanche struck suddenly during the day, engulfing several passenger vehicles traveling on the highway. Following the incident, the highway has been closed, and debris clearance operations are proceeding rapidly.
लद्दाख: कुदरत का कहर, जोजिला दर्रे पर हिमस्खलन में 7 लोगों की मौत, कई घायल, कई वाहन फंसे
At least seven people were killed and five others injured in a massive avalanche that struck the Zojila Pass in Ladakh on Friday. The incident occurred on the Ladakh stretch of the Srinagar-Leh Highway, where several vehicles were buried under the snow. The highway has been closed, and debris-clearing operations are proceeding rapidly. There are fears that the death toll from the accident could rise further.
Initially, officials had not confirmed any casualties; however, during relief and rescue operations, when the vehicles buried under the debris were extricated, the bodies of seven individuals were recovered from them. Meanwhile, five injured individuals were safely rescued and admitted to a hospital. Reports suggest that the avalanche struck suddenly during the day, engulfing several passenger vehicles traveling along the highway. Following the incident, the highway was closed, and debris-clearing operations are underway at a brisk pace.
Ladakh’s Lieutenant Governor, V.K. Saxena, has taken cognizance of the massive avalanche incident on the Srinagar-Leh Highway at Zojila Pass and has issued directives for relief and rescue operations to be conducted at the site. In a post on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), V.K. Saxena wrote, “Received unfortunate news regarding an avalanche at Zojila. I have directed the DC and SSP of Kargil to immediately visit the accident site and initiate relief and rescue operations.” He further noted that all government agencies, including disaster relief forces and the BRO (Border Roads Organisation), have been placed on high alert. “I am personally monitoring the situation,” he added.
Meanwhile, officials stated that the avalanche occurred on Friday morning in the Ladakh sector of the Zojila Pass. Several passenger vehicles became trapped within the debris. Following the incident, the highway was closed, and rescue and clearance operations have been launched to remove the debris and restore traffic flow. During the rescue operations, the bodies of six individuals were recovered, while five injured persons were extricated and transported to a hospital. It is feared that additional individuals may still be trapped beneath the debris. Currently, the Srinagar-Leh Highway (NH-1, formerly NH-1D) is a vital 434-kilometer-long, two-lane road connecting Srinagar to Leh in Ladakh. Renowned for its high altitude and breathtaking scenery, this highway traverses the 11,575-foot-high Zojila Pass. A tunnel is currently under construction above the Zojila Pass. Once operational, it will provide safe, all-weather connectivity between the Union Territory of Ladakh and the rest of the country.
The tunnel currently under construction will pass beneath the Zojila Pass, connecting Sonamarg in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir to Dras in the Kargil district of Ladakh. It is a horseshoe-shaped, single-tube, two-lane road tunnel—measuring 9.5 meters in width, 7.57 meters in height, and 14.2 kilometers in length—situated at an elevation of approximately 12,000 feet above sea level. In conjunction with the already operational Z-Morh Tunnel, this geostrategically significant project—located on the Srinagar-Leh Highway—will provide the Ladakh region with year-round, weather-resilient connectivity, boost tourism and the economy, and strengthen logistics for the Indian Armed Forces.
Upon the completion of this project, Ladakh will not only gain improved year-round connectivity with the rest of the country, but tourism, the local economy, and military logistics will also benefit significantly. This is one of 31 road tunnels (20 in Jammu and Kashmir and 11 in Ladakh) currently being constructed at a total cost of ₹1.4 lakh crore (approximately US$ 17.5 billion). Once completed, it will become the longest tunnel in Asia.
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