Eight tourists along with their drivers managed to escape unscathed after two Innova vehicles were buried under a massive snow avalanche in the Hung area of Sonamarg in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
The incident, fortunately, resulted in no loss of life or injuries.Upon receiving the call, a swift response team including SDPO Kangan Dr. Muzaffar Jan, SHO Sonmarg Turk Zahoor, SHO Gund Lateef Ali, SDRF Gund compound, tourist police, CRPF 118 Bn, 34 Assam Rifles Gund Company, and a health team from the primary health center in Sonamarg, as well as APCO Company workers, rushed to the scene to initiate rescue operations.Officials confirmed that all eight tourists and drivers were safely extricated from the vehicles, with only two requiring hospital treatment, who were later discharged.Sources revealed that heavy machinery was employed to extract both vehicles from the avalanche aftermath.Tehsildar Gund and DSP Traffic Rural Ganderbal also visited the accident site to assess the situation.Despite significant damage to the vehicles, authorities confirmed no loss of life in the incident.In response to the calamity, officials have announced the closure of the Sonamarg road to vehicular traffic until March 31, with exceptions for vehicles traveling from Z Morh Tunnel to Sonamarg, subject to weather conditions.Authorities urge tourists and locals to refrain from traveling on the Sonamarg road at night due to the heightened risk of avalanches in certain areas.
