Bandipora, March 30,: Authorities in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Monday rescued stranded tourists and passengers after heavy snowfall and landslides blocked the Bandipora–Gurez road, leaving multiple vehicles trapped in harsh weather conditions, officials said.
The rescue operation comes as fresh snowfall and unstable terrain continue to disrupt connectivity to the remote Gurez Valley, a strategically and economically important region dependent on the road link.
At least 22 vehicles carrying tourists and local passengers were stranded at several points along the route, particularly near Razdan Top, after sudden snow accumulation, mudslides and falling rocks rendered the road impassable, officials said.
Strong winds and stormy conditions further complicated the situation, reducing visibility and increasing risks for those trapped in the high-altitude stretch, they said.
Upon receiving distress calls, the district administration launched an immediate response. Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, supervised the operation and directed concerned departments to ensure swift evacuation of all stranded individuals, officials said.
Teams from the Mechanical Engineering Department (MED) and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), along with Junior Engineer Zubair Ahmad, were mobilised to the affected areas to carry out rescue and clearance operations.
“Despite continuous snowfall and hazardous conditions, teams worked relentlessly to clear snow and debris and restore connectivity,” an official involved in the operation said.
Using heavy machinery, the teams cleared blocked stretches and created safe passages, enabling stranded vehicles to move out of the affected zone in a phased manner, officials said.
All tourists and passengers were evacuated safely, and on-the-spot assistance, including medical aid, was provided where required, they added.
Some of the rescued individuals said the timely intervention by authorities prevented a potentially serious situation.
“We were stuck for hours due to heavy snow and falling rocks. The rescue teams arrived in time and ensured our safe evacuation,” said one of the passengers.
The Bandipora–Gurez road, particularly the Razdan Top stretch, is prone to frequent closures during winter and early spring due to heavy snowfall, avalanches and landslides.
Authorities said the road remains highly vulnerable to sudden weather changes, often leading to disruptions in traffic and supply lines to the valley.
Officials have advised travelers to avoid using the route until weather conditions stabilize and to strictly follow official advisories issued by the administration.
They said continuous monitoring of the situation is underway and further measures will be taken to ensure safety and restore normal movement.
The administration reiterated that coordinated efforts between civil departments and road maintenance agencies remain critical in managing emergencies in high-altitude areas like Gurez. [KNT]
