Avalanche Hits Sonamarg Resort, No Casualties

A massive avalanche struck the popular tourist destination of Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir late Tuesday night, triggering panic but causing no loss of life, officials said. The avalanche hit the resort area in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district at around 10.12 pm.

Authorities confirmed that, despite the scale of the snowslide, no casualties or injuries were reported. Dramatic visuals of the avalanche quickly surfaced on social media, showing a peaceful valley moments before a large cloud of snow engulfed roads and buildings within seconds. The area appeared deserted at the time, with no pedestrians visible.

The incident came amid heavy snowfall across the Kashmir Valley, which severely disrupted daily life on Tuesday. Flight operations at Srinagar airport were suspended, with all incoming and outgoing flights cancelled due to poor visibility and continuous snowfall. Passengers were advised to reschedule their travel plans with airlines.

Road connectivity was also badly affected. The 270-kilometre Srinagar-Jammu national highway was closed after heavy snow accumulation and slippery conditions between Banihal and Qazigund. Traffic movement was suspended in both directions as a precautionary measure.

Several other key routes, including the Mughal Road, Srinagar-Leh highway, Sinthan Road, and other interior roads, have remained closed since heavy snowfall on January 22–23. Normal life in Srinagar and surrounding towns was disrupted, with thin traffic, reduced business activity, and minimal pedestrian movement as residents stayed indoors.

Officials advised commuters to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel. Authorities had issued advance warnings of a high-risk avalanche situation in the region a day before the incident. The Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Disaster Management Authority had sounded alerts for multiple districts across both Kashmir and Jammu regions due to increased avalanche risk following sustained snowfall.

Weather conditions are expected to improve from Wednesday, and travellers have been advised to check the latest road and flight updates before planning their journeys.