SRINAGAR: Amid ongoing weather vagaries, authorities have ordered for closure of Sinthan and Margan passes for all sorts of movements to avoid any exigency till May 9. 

"In view of predictions by the Metreological Department for wide spread and heavy 
rains and Snowfall in upper reaches, people of Tehsil Larnoo and outside tourists are advised to refrain from venturing in landslide and shooting stone prone areas", reads an advisory, as per GNS. 

"Moreover rainfall/thunderstorm/snowfall may lead to disruption of traffic on Sinthan pass and Margan pass roads. People are advised to refrain from travelling on these two roads on 8th and 9th of May 2023."

"Also in compliance to the directions of SDM Kokernag, SHO Larnoo and Naib
Tehsildar Larnoo hereby directed to setup naka at daksum and Gowran and restrict all kinds of vehicular traffic on Sinthan pass and Margan pass roads on 8th and 9th of May 2023", it reads.

"Moreover Assistant tourist officer Kokernag shall place 4 tourist guards at Daksum naka and Range officer Daksum shall place 4 forest guards at Gowran naka from 4pm to 9am on the days, when the aforementioned roads are closed", the advisory reads further. (GNS)

SRINAGAR:  JCB operator, engaged with clearance of snow over Sinthan Top, a popular mountain pass located between Breng Valley in Kokernag in Anantnag district and Kishtwar district of Chenab Valley, died after he came under an avalanche on Tuesday, official sources said.

They said that a number of JCBs were engaged to clear snow in the area and suddenly an avalanche occurred, sweeping them away. While a few, working as operators, managed their way out, a few were swept away. Immediately a massive rescue operation was launched under supervision of Tehsidar Larnoo along with SHO Larnoo.

So far the body of one JCB operator has been recovered while searches are underway for possible missing person(s), they said.  

An officer of the administration told GNS that initial reports suggest that two persons among those engaged for snow clearance were missing but exact details are still being verified. “Rescue operation is still underway and we are trying to locate any missing person.”  

Meanwhile, the officer identified the deceased JCB operator as Javid Ahmad Zagoo (35) son of Abdul Aziz Zagoo of Larnoo. (GNS)