Watch: 10 trapped in cars after avalanche hits Khardung La pass near Leh in J&K

At least ten people are trapped in snow after an avalanche hit Khardung La pass, near Leh in Jammu and Kashmir(J&K)

Four vehicles carrying the passengers have been trapped in snow as authorities have launched a rescue effort in the region.

J&K had witnessed heavy snowfall including in Srinagar with Pahalgam which is a major tourist resort destination recording three centimetres of snow. In early January, an Army soldier was killed after an avalanche had hit Poonch.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

High-altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir had received heavy snowfall last week. The minimum temperature in Srinagar last Thursday was minus one degree celsius.

In other parts of Jammu region, Bhadarwah town in Doda district had emerged as the coldest recorded place with a low of minus 1.8 degrees celsius. Qazigund, the gateway town to the Valley in south Kashmir had recorded a low of minus 1.2 degrees celsius, while the nearby Kokernag town had registered a low of minus 2.2 degrees celsius on last Thursday night.

The mercury in Kupwara town in north Kashmir had settled at a low of minus 0.6 degree celsius.

Most parts of Kashmir, including the plains had received fresh snowfall again last Friday resulting in the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway.