Sonamarg: Avalanche Sweeps Through Snow Buries Homes and Hotels Overnight
Sonamarg: A powerful avalanche struck the Sonamarg region of Jammu and Kashmir late Tuesday night, sending massive volumes of snow crashing down mountain slopes and engulfing residential buildings, hotels, and parked vehicles. The incident occurred in the Sarbal area of Ganderbal district at around 10:13 pm, following days of persistent snowfall across the Kashmir Valley. Despite the scale of the avalanche and the damage caused, officials confirmed that no injuries or loss of life were reported.
Avalanche Captured on Surveillance Cameras
Footage from closed-circuit television cameras installed in the area showed a sudden and forceful descent of snow from higher elevations. Within moments, thick clouds of snow swept over houses, hotel structures, and cars, leaving large sections of the locality buried. The visuals highlighted the speed and intensity of the avalanche, which left little time for any immediate response once the snow began to move.
Local residents described hearing a loud rumble before the snow surged downhill, covering everything in its path. Emergency services were alerted soon after the incident, and teams were dispatched to assess the situation once conditions allowed safe access.
No Casualties Reported, Damage Assessment Underway
Authorities said preliminary assessments indicated structural damage to several buildings, particularly hotels and residential properties located close to the avalanche-prone slope. Vehicles parked in open areas were also partially or completely buried under snow. Rescue teams conducted checks to ensure no one was trapped inside the affected structures.
Officials confirmed that all occupants had either evacuated earlier or were accounted for, preventing any casualties. Damage evaluation teams were expected to continue their inspections as weather conditions improved.
Prior Warnings Issued After Heavy Snowfall
The avalanche came a day after authorities issued an advisory warning of a high-risk avalanche situation in Sonamarg. The warning followed continuous snowfall and rainfall in various parts of the Union Territory, which significantly increased snow accumulation on mountain slopes.
Disaster management agencies had urged residents and tourists to exercise caution, particularly in vulnerable zones. Sonamarg, known for its high-altitude terrain, frequently faces avalanche threats during periods of intense or prolonged snowfall.
Severe Weather Disrupts Air Travel in Srinagar
The impact of the harsh weather extended beyond mountainous regions, severely affecting air travel operations. Srinagar Airport cancelled 58 scheduled flights on Tuesday, including 29 arrivals and 29 departures. Officials cited a slippery runway caused by ongoing rain and snowfall as the reason for the cancellations.
Passengers were advised to check flight statuses with airlines before heading to the airport, as weather-related disruptions were expected to continue until conditions stabilized.
National Highway Closed Amid Snow Clearance Efforts
Road connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar was also affected due to heavy snow accumulation. Authorities closed the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, particularly the stretch between Qazigund and Banihal, after snow made the route unsafe for vehicular movement.
Officials stated that no traffic was being allowed on the highway while snow clearance operations were underway. Road maintenance teams were working to restore connectivity, though reopening would depend on weather conditions and safety assessments.
Authorities Urge Continued Caution
In light of ongoing snowfall and unstable weather patterns, officials reiterated the need for caution across avalanche-prone and high-altitude areas. Residents and visitors were advised to follow official advisories, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay away from vulnerable slopes.
Weather monitoring and disaster response teams remain on alert as winter conditions persist across the region, with further advisories expected if snowfall continues.