Dozens of vehicles stranded on the Bhaderwah-Pathankot highway in Jammu and Kashmir after a small avalanche hit the Guldanda stretch on Sunday evening. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) quickly cleared the debris, restoring traffic flow with no reported injuries or damage.
Official Confirmation and Details
Executive Magistrate of Bhaderwah, Kamal Preet Singh, stated that around 40 vehicles were initially trapped due to the avalanche. “Today, there was a small avalanche on our Guldanda road, due to which some of our people, around 40 vehicles, got stuck,” he said. “The BRO came here and opened the road, making it passable, so the people who were stranded could leave. By God’s grace, there has been no loss of life or property. However, there was definitely some trouble due to being stuck.”
Singh praised the BRO’s swift action and noted that ambulances, police, and civil society members arrived as precautions to assist stranded motorists and prevent panic. “They helped each other and told the people not to panic, saying they would fix it soon and make the road passable for them,” he added. “There is no such damage on the road. We do not even need to close this tourist spot. It was a small patch, so it has been cleared.”
Tourist Experience
One tourist from Rajasthan shared, “We came from Rajasthan to see the place. Then the snowfall occurred, and we were irritated for 2 to 3 hours. Then the road gets opened. Now, we are happy.”
Recent BRO Operations
Earlier, the BRO conducted a high-altitude rescue and road restoration at Chatergala Pass, situated at 10,500 feet on the Bhaderwah-Chatergala axis. Heavy snowfall had disrupted connectivity there, prompting the 118 Road Construction Company of the 35 Border Roads Task Force under Project Sampark to carry out the clearance.
