Srinagar: Unseasonal snowfall has put at risk the lives of over 2.5 lakh nomadic Gujjars and Bakerwals who have got stranded at different points in the mountain ranges of Pir Panjal, Shivalik and Zojila in Jammu and Kashmir, official reports said.

Gujjars, Bakerwals, Sippis and Bhallas who move to the upper reaches as a part of their tribal practice got trapped at Jamia Gali, Pir Ki Marg, Chhapran, Upper Banihal, Wadwan, Trichhal, Old Mughal Road, Gurez and Zojila due to heavy snow over the past few days, reports said.

About 2.6 lakh Gujjars and Bakerwals along with their cattle are currently on the upper reaches of the mountain ranges known as 'Dhoks' situated 7000-9000 feet above the mean sea level, they said.

Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation (TRCF), an organisation working for the welfare of tribal communities, has requested Army's help to save their lives by pressing into service choppers to air-drop ration, medicines and blankets.

The movement of nomadic people from the districts of Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur, Doda, Baramulla, Kupwara and Anantnag to the upper reaches begins in the first week of April but this time they were held up midway due to snowfall.

The nomads carry very little food stock and were likely on the verge of starvation, the reports said.

The unexpected change in weather has also put at risk fruit crops worth crores of rupees in Kashmir.