Over 200 passengers travelling in 30 vehicles rescued after snowfall at Sinthan Top

Srinagar, March 16: Authorities in Kishtwar and Anantnag districts on Sunday evening rescued more than 30 vehicles carrying around 200 passengers who were stranded at Sinthan Top following fresh snowfall.

The Daksum–Sinthan Top–Kishtwar road was closed after snowfall blocked the high-altitude pass.

“Over 30 vehicles, both light and heavy carrying about 214 passengers have been rescued at Sinthan Top by the Kishtwar and Anantnag administrations, police, Army and NHIDCL,” Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat told Greater Kashmir.

He said the rescue operation was ongoing and that most stranded passengers had either reached or were on their way to their destinations in Kishtwar and Anantnag.

Officials said sudden snowfall blocked the pass, forcing authorities to make strenuous efforts to clear the stranded passenger vehicles.

“The rescue operation was carried out by the district administration and police after the matter was brought to the attention of the Deputy commissioners and Senior superintendents of Police of Kishtwar and Anantnag,” officials said.

Member of Parliament Sajjad Kichloo appreciated the authorities’ efforts in ensuring passenger safety.

“Spoke with the Deputy Commissioner and SSP of Kishtwar regarding stranded passengers at Sinthan Top. Around 80 passengers have been rescued and are reaching Aloo Farm. Appreciate the efforts of the district and police administration,” Kichloo posted on social media platform X.

Sinthan Top is a high-altitude pass connecting Kishtwar with the Kashmir Valley via Daksum- Anantnag and often experiences harsh weather during winter months, forcing its closure.

Meanwhile, the administration and police also rescued several passengers stranded at Margan Top-another high-altitude pass connecting south Kashmir’s Anantnag district with the twin valleys of Marwah and Warwan.

The 100-kilometer Larnoo–Margan Top–Warwan road, opened in 2007 to connect the valleys with Kokernag in south Kashmir, serves as the region’s only surface link to the outside world.

In its absence, residents either trek long distances to reach Kishtwar or wait until summer to travel via the Kokernag–Sinthan route.