Avalanches bury major highway tunnel in India, triggering rescue effort

A highway and tunnel in Kashmir state, northern India, were buried under an avalanche today (January 22) prompting a rescue operation by local authorities.

An official said that the avalanche has blocked both entrances of the Jawahar tunnel connecting the Srinagar-Jammu highway from Qazigund side, forcing the authorities to suspend the traffic movement on the highway.

He said that a rescue operation has been launched in the area. There was no immediate report of any loss of life or injuries. The area has been facing heavy snowfall for the past several days.

Traffic department officials said landslides have hit the strategic highway at some places in the Ramban district, including Digdol, Panthal, Magarkote and Khoni Nallah.