Avalanche Rips Through Sonamarg’s Sarbal Area, No Casualties Reported

News Source: NDTV

Late Tuesday night, a major avalanche tore through the Sarbal Area of Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, sweeping snow into residential pockets and damaging houses and parked vehicles. Officials said the incident occurred at 10:12 pm in the tourist hub.

Video footage from the scene shows a heavy surge of snow racing downhill and overwhelming structures in its path. Authorities stressed that, despite the force of the avalanche, there have been no reports of casualties or injuries so far.

The incident followed a high risk avalanche advisory issued earlier this week as the valley continued to receive persistent snowfall. Weather conditions have also paralysed transport across Kashmir.

The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) has been shut due to heavy show accumulation near the Navyug Tunnel at Qazigund and the Banihal sector, while flight services at Srinagar airport were suspended on Tuesday, leaving many travellers stranded.