Rescuers found five bodies after an avalanche hit Khardunga La pass in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ladakh on Friday morning, ANI reported. A search and rescue operation is under way for five persons who are still believed to be trapped in the high altitude region, a Border Roads Organisation official said.

Personnel from the district administration, police and State Disaster Response Force are collaborating to help rescue those trapped.

The weather department has forecast heavy snow in the region in the next few days.

The local administration has advised people to avoid moving around avalanche-prone areas and to store adequate food and other essentials, the Hindustan Times reported.

On January 3, a soldier died and another was injured after an avalanche hit an Army post in Sawjian sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district.