At least six people lost their lives and five others sustained injuries after a series of avalanches struck the Srinagar-Leh National Highway on Friday, burying nearly a dozen vehicles under heavy snow.

Officials confirmed that the incident occurred along the stretch between Zero Point and Minimarg near Zoji La during the afternoon hours. The sudden snow slides trapped multiple cars, leading to casualties and injuries.

Following the tragedy, VK Saxena said he is closely overseeing the situation. He stated that district authorities and senior police officials in Kargil have been instructed to rush to the site and coordinate rescue operations.

Emergency response teams, including disaster relief forces and the Border Roads Organisation, have been placed on high alert to assist in relief efforts and clear the affected highway stretch. Rescue operations are currently underway as authorities work to locate any survivors and restore connectivity.

Washington: US President Donald Trump had a productive conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the White House said on Friday, referring to the talks between the two leaders on Tuesday.

The New York Times reported that billionaire businessman Elon Musk joined the phone call between Modi and Trump on Tuesday when the two leaders discussed the situation in West Asia.

“President Trump has a great relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and this was a productive conversation,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

Elon Musk participated in a phone call on Tuesday with President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, an unusual appearance by a private citizen on a call between two heads of state during a wartime crisis.

the inclusion of Musk, confirmed by two US officials, suggests that the world’s richest man is back on better terms with the president.

Trump and Musk had a falling out last year following the billionaire’s departure from the government, where he had been tasked with slashing the work force.

The report said it is unclear why Musk was on the call or whether he spoke.

It was the first conversation between the two leaders since the West Asia conflict began on February 28.

During the conversation, Prime Minister Modi underlined the importance of ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, secure and accessible, noting that it is vital for global peace, stability and economic well-being.

Mumbai: Mumbai and its metropolitan region woke up to clear blue skies, with noticeably improved air quality across the city on Saturday morning. Though the temperature remained at 28 degrees Celsius at 9 am, however, heat and humid conditions persisted.

The Regional Meteorological Centre, Mumbai, has predicted dry weather in the cities of Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar today. Though there are no heatwave-like conditions predicted today, Google Weather has issued a severe weather alert stating that excessive heat is expected, with temperatures reaching up to 37 degrees Celsius.

Overall AQI In Moderate Range

Data from AQI monitoring platforms showed the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 83 at 9.30 am, placing it in the ‘moderate’ category. This marks a major improvement compared to previous weeks, when dust and particulate matter had pushed pollution levels higher. In Navi Mumbai, the AQI remained in the ‘poor’ category at 113 with the current temperature at 30 degrees Celsius, with humidity at 70 per cent.

Dry Weather To Prevail Till March 31

According to RMC Mumbai, the dry weather is very likely to be dry in Palghar, Thane and Mumbai. Not just in Mumbai and MMR, the dry weather is also very likely in Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Dhule, Jalgaon, Nashik, Pune, and Satara, among cities in Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, hospitals in Mumbai are witnessing a sharp rise in cases of heatstroke, dehydration, and heat-related neurological complications. Medical experts warn that the ongoing heatwave is not only straining physical health but also posing serious risks to brain function.

Doctors have identified several high-risk groups, including children, senior citizens, and individuals with pre-existing neurological or cardiovascular conditions. Outdoor workers such as construction labourers, traffic police personnel, and delivery workers are particularly vulnerable due to prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and high humidity levels.

As per the IMD’s Hot Weather Outlook for March to May 2026, Maharashtra is likely to witness more frequent heatwave events in the coming months, particularly in April and May. With temperatures already climbing, the early onset of such conditions signals a potentially harsh summer for the region.