Srinagar, Apr 29: Fragile snow layers, steep slopes, and fluctuating temperatures are making the high-altitude Zoji La a frequent site of avalanches, according to experts.

An avalanche on April 25 struck the Srinagar-Leh National Highway at Shaitan Nallah, near Drass leaving several vehicles stranded and forcing traffic to be halted.

No casualties were reported.

The incident followed a March 28 avalanche in the same region that killed seven people. Several smaller avalanches have also been reported over the past month.

The route has long been vulnerable and has seen multiple fatalities over the years.

At an altitude of about 11,575 feet, the pass combines natural conditions that favor avalanches.

Slopes in the area generally range between 30 and 45 degrees, considered the most prone for snow slides, while limited vegetation leaves the snowpack without support.

“Heavy snowfall during winter builds thick layers of snow that are often weakly bonded,” said Riyaz Ahmad Mir, a geologist with the National Institute of Hydrology in Jammu. “Wind further loads these slopes, creating instability within the snowpack.”

Mir said weak layers beneath fresh snowfall are a major trigger.

“When new snow settles over older, fragile layers, even minor disturbances can lead to a collapse,” he said.

Rising temperatures in spring add to the risk. As the snow begins to melt, moisture seeps into the layers.

“Meltwater acts as a lubricating agent, reducing friction and increasing the chances of avalanches,” Mir said, adding that rugged terrain and even traffic vibrations can act as triggers.

Meteorological factors also play a role, said Mukhar Ahmad.

“Early melting, weak snowpack layers and fresh snow in spring increase the likelihood of avalanches,” Ahmad said, advising travellers to follow weather advisories before using the highway.

Several stretches along the route, including Shaitan Nallah, are identified as long-term avalanche-prone zones where incidents recur under similar conditions.

The Srinagar-Leh National Highway, which runs through Zoji La Pass, has remained susceptible to weather disruptions for decades.

Authorities are working on the Zojila Tunnel, a 14.2-km all-weather tunnel expected to provide year-round connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh and reduce reliance on the avalanche-prone pass.

Sopore, Apr 29: In a firm enforcement action under the ongoing 100-Day Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan, Sopore Police have destroyed an illegally cultivated poppy crop and registered a case under the NDPS Act.

Police Post Warpora received credible information regarding illegal cultivation of opium poppy in orchard land at Magraypora. Acting swiftly, a case FIR No. 102/2026 under Section 8/18(c) of the NDPS Act was registered at Police Station Sopore, and investigation was taken up.

During the course of investigation, a joint team comprising Police officials led by SDPO Sopore, along with Executive Magistrate, officials from the Excise Department and Agriculture Department, reached the spot. After completing all legal formalities, the illegally cultivated poppy crop was destroyed on the spot. The accused has been identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, son of Gh. Nabi Lone of Hathlangoo Sopore. Police have reiterated that illegal cultivation of opium poppy or any narcotic crop is a serious offence punishable under the NDPS Act, and strict legal action will be taken against anyone found involved in such activities. The general public is urged to remain vigilant and refrain from engaging in or facilitating cultivation of narcotic crops, and to report any such illegal activity to the nearest police establishment or on the helpline 9596773144.The identity of informers will be kept strictly confidential.

Srinagar, Apr 29: People’s Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on Wednesday accused the BJP, National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party of colluding to “fix the match” during elections to the four Rajya Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir last year.

While the ruling National Conference had won three seats, the BJP managed to secure one seat even though it did not have the required numbers.

At least four non-BJP MLAs had voted for BJP candidate Sat Sharma, who got 32 votes against the party strength of 28 MLAs.

Lone had abstained from voting, a move which also benefited the BJP candidate.

“That NC did not insist on the appointment of agents, and the PDP simply did not appoint agents, hints at a much bigger spread in match-fixing,” Lone said in a statement here.

He was referring to an RTI reply suggesting that the PDP had not appointed a chief agent for the Rajya Sabha polls.

Lone, who is MLA from Handwara, said the RTI reply indicated that at least three parties — BJP, NC and PDP — colluded during the Rajya Sabha polls.

“BJP could not have won the Rajya Sabha seat without the active support of NC and PDP,” he added.

Recalling the 2015 Rajya Sabha polls, Lone said the People’s Conference did not have a candidate, but the then ruling alliance had asked his party to appoint an agent of their choice.

“I remember when I cast my vote in the Rajya Sabha elections in 2015. Our party did not have a candidate, but the ruling alliance (PDP-BKP) requested us to have an agent of their choice,” he said.

Lone said the person appointed as agent was a non-MLA who proceeded to verify his vote and that of his fellow MLA, Bashir Ahmed Dar.

Lone questioned the conduct of both the NC and PDP, expressing serious doubts over their claimed ignorance of election rules. “It seems highly improbable that the PDP or NC did not know the rules,” he said.

Shopian, April 29: Police in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday in coordination with the district administration intensified an anti-drug drive, demolishing four shops and removing other alleged illegal assets linked to suspected narcotics offenders. 

The action is part of the ongoing “Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyaan,” a government-backed campaign aimed at curbing drug abuse and trafficking in the region.

In one operation, authorities demolished four shops allegedly constructed on state land by Abdul Hamid of Wachi, who is linked to a narcotics-related case registered at Zainapora police station in 2022, officials said.

In a separate operation, officials cut down poplar trees that were allegedly planted on state land by another accused, Inayat Lone, a resident of Melhura, who is named in narcotics cases registered in 2013 and 2026 at the same police station.

Both actions were carried out in the presence of local revenue and police officials, including the Sub-Divisional Magistrate and Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Zainapora.

Authorities said the measures are part of efforts to dismantle assets believed to have been created through proceeds of drug-related activities.

Police said the drive would continue, urging residents to share information on drug trafficking to support efforts to curb the menace.