Traffic management of unpredictable Zojila Pass comes under scanner as avalanche toll touches 7

The death toll in the Zojila Pass avalanche touched seven on Saturday (March 28, 2026), even as questions were raised over traffic regulations along the Ladakh-Kashmir axis, one of the most dangerous and unpredictable highway in the country at an elevation of 2,528 metres.

The body of a missing civilian, identified as Ali Akbar Shadab, was recovered on Saturday (March 28, 2026) during the search operation which resumed at 6 a.m. before concluding later in the day. Two women were among the dead, officials said.

“A total of 13 people were impacted in the avalanche. Five people were reported dead on Friday. One critically injured was shifted to the Kargil hospital, but died on Saturday. The seventh body was recovered from the avalanche site in the morning. Six people remain under treatment,” said Dr. Sajjad Hussain, Block Medical Officer, Drass. 

Officials said the rescue operation was carried out by the teams of civil administration, the Army, and the Border Road Organisation (BRO). Several vehicles buried under snow were tracked and removed from the Srinagar-Leh highway, the only surface link between Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The highway remains highly prone to avalanches, landslides, and shooting stones for the most part of the year.

Meanwhile, authorities in Kashmir on Saturday (March 28, 2026) warned of potential avalanche risk in Ganderbal district, which houses the Zojila Pass, and Bandipora district over the next 24 hours.

The advisory for Ganderbal, issued by the Ganderbal Deputy Commissioner, warned that “there was a medium intensity risk of avalanche above 2400 meters in Ganderbal”. 

“People have been strictly advised to avoid venturing into avalanche-prone areas, including steep slopes, hilly terrain, and higher reaches, until further orders are issued. The administration has also appealed to residents, tourists, and nomadic communities to adhere to official guidelines and cooperate in ensuring public safety,” said the advisory.

The civilian deaths in Friday’s (March 27, 2026) avalanche have brought the traffic management on the Srinagar-Ladakh highway, which remained closed for traffic on Saturday, under a scanner. The avalanche was apparently triggered due to a rise in the temperature triggered by the bright sunlight at noon, which is considered common during the month of March. The incident took place between 12:30 and 1 p.m., officials said.  

“March is an avalanche-prone month. We local people understand that allowing traffic around 5:30 a.m. from the Kargil side for two hours and then from 8 a.m. up to 10 a.m. from the Kashmir side makes it safe. Because chances of avalanche during the morning hours are minimum,” said Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon, Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil.

At present, traffic along the 25-kilometre stretch is allowed after 8 a.m. Mr. Akhoon also flagged the issue of mixing up heavy motor vehicles with light motor vehicles. “Advisory suggests that heavy motor vehicles are only allowed after the light motor vehicles. However, both were present when the avalanche hit on Friday,” he said.

The CEC said the issue will be raised with Ladakh Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and officials in Jammu and Kashmir.