Avalanche Strikes Sonamarg as Heavy Snowfall Plagues Kashmir

Post by : Mina Rahman

In Jammu and Kashmir, bitterly cold conditions and relentless snowfall led to a significant avalanche in the Sarbal area of Sonamarg on Tuesday evening. A circulating video depicts an immense rush of snow descending towards structures, creating a perilous atmosphere. Fortunately, authorities have confirmed that there were no reported injuries or fatalities during the event.

The avalanche struck around 10:12 pm, unleashing a vast amount of snow down the slopes toward nearby properties. This region had already been alert for avalanches due to the continual snowfall affecting the valley.

The Jammu & Kashmir Disaster Management Authority had issued avalanche alerts for 11 districts. Areas exceeding 2,000 meters in Ganderbal received high-risk warnings, while medium-risk advisories were in effect for several districts, including Anantnag, Baramulla, Kupwara, and Doda.

The heavy snowfall on Tuesday caused widespread disruptions in Kashmir, notably closing the Jammu–Srinagar highway and canceling all flights from Srinagar airport, stranding numerous tourists.

In related efforts, the Border Roads Organisation successfully rescued 60 individuals, with 40 of them being Army personnel, who had been trapped for almost two days under 5-6 feet of snow at Chattergala Pass on the Bhaderwah-Chamba Road in Doda district. The rescue operation demanded nearly 40 hours of continual work.

Just a week prior, a fatal incident on the same roadway led to the loss of 10 Army soldiers whose vehicle skidded off a mountain pass at Khanni Top.

The region remains vigilant as heavy snowfall and potential avalanches continue to threaten both residents and travelers.