35 stranded vehicles evacuated after overnight snowfall at Sadna Top in Kupwara

The rescue effort was carried out on a war footing, with snow clearance machinery and field teams deployed to prevent further distress to commuters and avert any medical or weather-related emergencies, they said.

Authorities said priority was given to clearing vulnerable stretches and ensuring the safety of passengers.

Officials said the situation at Sadna Top had deteriorated rapidly following fresh snowfall, leading to disruption of vehicular movement. Timely intervention by the administration, they said, helped restore partial movement and prevented escalation of the situation.

The administration advised travellers to avoid unnecessary movement towards high-altitude areas and urged strict adherence to traffic advisories until weather conditions stabilise.

Authorities said weather conditions were being closely monitored and further action would be taken as required to ensure road safety and public convenience.