Asif Iqbal Naik
Kishtwar, March 15:
Several vehicles were reportedly trapped near Sinthan Top on the National Highway 244 after heavy snowfall disrupted traffic movement in the high-altitude area on Sunday.
According to initial reports, a number of passenger vehicles travelling between Kishtwar and Anantnag got stranded near the mountain pass after fresh snowfall led to slippery road conditions and accumulation of snow on the highway.
Sources said that some passengers stuck in the vehicles have reportedly started calling for help as the weather conditions in the area remained harsh and visibility reduced due to snowfall.
Sinthan Top, located at an altitude of over 12,000 feet, connects the Chenab Valley region with south Kashmir and frequently experiences sudden weather changes, especially during late winter and early spring.
Officials are yet to issue an official statement regarding the situation, while people travelling on the route have been advised to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary movement towards the pass until weather conditions improve.
Further details regarding the number of stranded vehicles and any possible rescue or snow clearance operation were awaited at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has issued a weather advisory predicting generally cloudy conditions with intermittent rain in the plains and fresh snowfall in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir over the next few days. Authorities have cautioned that weather activity linked to a western disturbance may continue to affect mountainous areas, potentially impacting road connectivity in high-altitude passes including Sinthan Top. 
Officials have advised commuters to avoid unnecessary travel towards high-altitude routes and to check the latest traffic and weather updates before undertaking journeys in the region.
