Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 16: A major avalanche hit Srinagar- Leh National Highway in Minimarg area of Zoijla this afternoon burying several vehicles. However, six persons trapped in these vehicles were rescued.
An official said that an avalanche hit Srinagar- Leh National Highway at Shaitan Nalla in Minimarg area burying at least 5 vehicles.
He said that rescue teams were immediately rushed to the area and six people who were trapped in the vehicles that were buried under the avalanche were rescued. He said that it took several hours to rescue these people from the avalanche. He said that two people including a driver were rescued from one vehicle and four drivers from other four vehicles.
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The avalanche was later cleared from the highway by the Border Roads Organizations who pressed their men and machinery into service.
Srinagar-Leh National Highway has been thrown open for traffic one month ago but due to the freak weather conditions and condition of the road only one-way traffic is allowed on the highway.
Today the traffic was allowed from Srinagar to move towards Leh. The avalanche hit the highway when the majority of the Leh bound vehicles had crossed the Shaitan Nalla.
The area is prone to avalanches and the highway was reopened for traffic only one month ago on March 16 after remaining closed for 68 days.
The Weatherman has forecast freak weather in the region till April 20 with snowfall in the upper reaches including Zojila area.
He said there is possibility of temporary disruption of surface transportation especially over hilly and snowbound areas during April 17-18.
Zojila at an altitude of 11, 575 feet remained mostly covered in snow. The road remained buried under snow for several months as it snows heavily in the region.
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