Srinagar, March 16. Alert Indian Army troops braved extremely harsh weather, including heavy snowfall, to rescue 214 stranded passengers from Sinthan Pass in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Monday.
"After heavy snowfall disrupted movement at Sinthan Pass, which connects the Valley with the Kishtwar district of the Jammu division, the soldiers of the 19th Rashtriya Rifles, along with the J&K Police, carried out a joint rescue operation at the mountain pass. Despite the harsh weather conditions and treacherous terrain, the teams successfully evacuated 214 stranded tourists and local civilians and ensured their safe movement to secure locations," officials said.
Meanwhile, the higher reaches of J&K received fresh snowfall during the last 12 hours. The Gulmarg ski resort received fresh snowfall on Monday morning.
Sinthan Pass received 12 inches, Zojila Pass 5 inches, and Sonamarg 3 to 4 inches of fresh snowfall during the last 12 hours.
The MET department has forecast rain/snow in J&K until March 20.
Generally, cloudy weather with intermittent light to moderate rain/snow is expected at many places, mostly in the evening and morning hours until March 20.
"Dry weather is expected in J&K from March 21st to 23rd. Transport operators, travelers, and the general public travelling to and through the higher reaches and mountain passes are advised to plan accordingly," MET department officials said.
"Farmers are advised to suspend farm operations until March 20," MET department officials said.
The minimum temperature in Srinagar city on Monday was 5.3 degrees Celsius, while it was -2.5 degrees in Gulmarg and 0.8 degrees in Pahalgam.
Jammu city had a minimum temperature of 11.3 degrees, Katra 8.8 degrees, Batote 4.4 degrees, Banihal 4.5 degrees, and Bhaderwah 3.5 degrees.
Heavy snowfall at Pir Ki Gali has closed the Mughal Road connecting the Valley with Rajouri-Poonch in the Jammu division.
The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway is open for traffic today, according to traffic department officials.
