Massive Avalanche Hits Sonamarg as Heavy Snowfall Grips Kashmir

A massive avalanche struck the popular tourist destination of Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir late Tuesday night, triggering panic in the region even as authorities confirmed that no casualties were reported. The incident occurred in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district amid intense snowfall that has disrupted daily life and travel across the Union Territory.

According to officials, the avalanche hit the Sonamarg area at approximately 10.12 pm. CCTV footage from the resort town captured a dramatic wall of snow cascading down the mountainside and sweeping through parts of the settlement. The visuals showed snow engulfing several structures in its path, highlighting the sheer force of the natural event.

Despite the scale of the avalanche and the visible damage in the footage, local administration confirmed that no injuries or fatalities had been reported at the time of assessment. Emergency response teams were immediately deployed to the area to evaluate the extent of damage and ensure that no individuals were trapped beneath the snow. Authorities said precautionary measures were taken to monitor the area closely for any secondary avalanches.

The avalanche occurred against the backdrop of widespread snowfall across Kashmir, which has severely impacted transportation and normal life. Continuous snowfall led to the closure of the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, a critical arterial route connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country. Heavy snow accumulation near the Navyug tunnel at Qazigund and along the Banihal stretch forced authorities to halt traffic as safety concerns mounted.

Air travel was also heavily affected. All scheduled flights at Srinagar International Airport were cancelled due to unsafe runway conditions caused by persistent snowfall. Officials confirmed that 58 flights, including arrivals and departures, were called off, leaving hundreds of passengers and tourists stranded in the region. Airport authorities said operations would resume only after weather conditions improve and safety inspections are completed.

Snowfall, which began late Monday night, blanketed large parts of Kashmir and continued through Tuesday, disrupting power supply in some areas and slowing down essential services. Meteorological officials have forecast light to moderate rain or snow across most regions, with the possibility of gusty winds and thunderstorms in isolated areas. Light precipitation is also expected to continue into Wednesday, keeping conditions unstable.

In response to the evolving weather situation, the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Disaster Management Authority issued avalanche warnings across multiple districts. A high-danger avalanche warning has been issued for areas above 2,000 metres in Ganderbal district, which includes Sonamarg. Medium-danger warnings have been announced for similar elevations in several districts of Kashmir, including Anantnag, Bandipora, Baramulla, Kulgam and Kupwara, as well as parts of the Jammu region such as Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri and Ramban.

Authorities have urged residents, tourists and travellers to avoid avalanche-prone areas, particularly at higher altitudes, and to strictly follow advisories issued by local administrations. With heavy snowfall continuing and weather conditions remaining unpredictable, officials said preparedness and caution remain critical in preventing loss of life and property.