Srinagar, April 27: A powerful avalanche at Zojila Pass in Ladakh has forced the closure of the Srinagar-Leh highway for all vehicular traffic, with rescue teams successfully evacuating three trapped drivers from the snow-buried stretch. The avalanche struck on Sunday near Shaitani Nallah in the Drass sector, pushing multiple vehicles — including two tankers travelling from Sonamarg towards Kargil — off the road. Authorities confirmed that the drivers have been safely rescued and the damaged vehicles retrieved.

Rescue Operation: How Teams Responded

A coordinated rescue effort was launched immediately after the avalanche struck. Teams from UTDRF Kargil, Police Station Drass, and local volunteers worked together to pull the three drivers out of the snow safely.

Officials confirmed that all vehicles affected in the incident have now been recovered from the snowpack and placed back on the road surface. The swift response prevented what could have been a far more tragic outcome.

Highway Closure and Clearance Operations

The Srinagar-Leh highway remains closed to traffic as of Sunday, with authorities deploying snow clearance machinery along the vulnerable Zojila stretch. Officials stated that restoration of vehicular movement is underway but no timeline for reopening has been confirmed yet.

The Zojila Pass, situated at approximately 11,575 feet above sea level, is notoriously prone to avalanches, heavy snowfall, and landslides — particularly during the spring months when snowpack becomes unstable. This stretch has historically been the most dangerous segment of the entire NH1 Srinagar-Leh route.

A Deadly Pattern: Zojila's History of Tragedy

This is not an isolated incident. On March 27, a separate avalanche at Zojila Pass claimed the lives of six people and left five others injured — underscoring the deadly regularity of snow hazards along this corridor.

Over the past 70 years, the Zojila stretch has witnessed numerous fatal accidents, with scores of lives lost to avalanches, blizzards, and treacherous road conditions. The highway serves as the only surface link between Kashmir and Ladakh for much of the year, making each closure a strategic and humanitarian concern.

This comes amid growing calls from Ladakh residents, defence establishments, and logistics operators for a permanent all-weather solution — a demand that has directly shaped the push for the Zojila Tunnel project.

The Zojila Tunnel: India's Answer to a Decades-Old Problem

To eliminate the perennial danger posed by the pass, the Indian government is constructing the Zojila Tunnel — a 14.2 km long, horseshoe-shaped, single-tube, two-lane road tunnel beneath the Zojila Pass. The tunnel is 9.5 metres wide, 7.57 metres high, and sits at an altitude of approximately 12,000 feet above sea level.

The tunnel connects Sonamarg in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir with Drass in Kargil district of Ladakh. Once completed, it will function alongside the already-operational Z-Morh Tunnel to provide year-round, all-weather connectivity to Ladakh from the rest of India — a move with enormous strategic, economic, and humanitarian implications.

For the Indian Army and paramilitary forces stationed in Ladakh, the tunnel represents a critical upgrade in logistical capability, particularly given the ongoing security situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

Strategic and Human Cost of Delay

Every avalanche closure of the Srinagar-Leh highway disrupts the supply of essential goods, fuel, and military logistics to one of India's most sensitive border regions. The two tankers hit in Sunday's avalanche were reportedly carrying fuel — highlighting the vulnerability of Ladakh's energy supply chain during winter and early spring.

Critics and infrastructure experts have long argued that the pace of construction on the Zojila Tunnel must be accelerated, given the recurring loss of life and the strategic importance of uninterrupted access to Ladakh. With avalanche season far from over, the pressure on authorities to fast-track the project will only intensify in the coming weeks.

As clearance operations continue on the Srinagar-Leh highway, travellers and logistics operators are advised to monitor official updates before attempting the Zojila stretch. The completion of the Zojila Tunnel remains the most critical infrastructure milestone for Ladakh's future connectivity and security.