Srinagar, March 27: A devastating avalanche struck the Zoji La Pass in Ladakh on Friday, resulting in the deaths of at least six individuals and injuring five others. The incident occurred in the Ladakh section of the Srinagar-Leh Highway, where several vehicles were buried under the snow.
Initially, officials did not confirm any casualties. However, during the rescue operations, the bodies of six individuals were recovered from the debris of the vehicles. The five injured were safely extracted and admitted to a hospital for treatment.
Reports indicate that the avalanche struck suddenly during the day, catching many passenger vehicles on the highway off guard. Following the incident, the highway has been closed, and debris removal efforts are underway.
The 434-kilometer-long Srinagar-Leh Highway is a crucial route for both strategic and tourism purposes, traversing the Zoji La Pass, which stands at approximately 11,575 feet. Poor weather conditions and snowfall frequently disrupt traffic in this area.
To address these challenges, a tunnel is being constructed beneath the Zoji La Pass. This tunnel will connect Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir to Dras in Ladakh. Once completed, the 14.2-kilometer-long tunnel will ensure safe passage throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions.
Upon completion, this project will not only enhance connectivity for Ladakh year-round but also significantly benefit tourism, the local economy, and military logistics. This is one of 31 road tunnels being constructed at a total cost of ₹1.4 lakh crore (approximately $17.5 billion), and it will become the longest tunnel in Asia.
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