Massive avalanche hits tourist resort in Jammu and Kashmirs Sonamarg, no casualties reported
The Jammu–Srinagar national highway was closed, and all flights at Srinagar airport were suspended, leaving numerous tourists stranded.
PTC News Desk: A powerful avalanche struck the tourist destination of Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir late on Tuesday night, triggering panic but causing no injuries, officials reported.
The incident occurred around 10:12 pm in Sonamarg, located in the Ganderbal district of central Kashmir. CCTV visuals captured a massive surge of snow cascading down the mountains and sweeping over multiple structures. Although the avalanche appeared intense and caused visible damage, authorities confirmed that no casualties have been recorded. Rescue teams and local officials promptly reached the area to evaluate the impact and monitor any potential threats.
The avalanche followed fresh snowfall across Kashmir that disrupted daily life on Tuesday. The Jammu–Srinagar national highway was closed, and all flights at Srinagar airport were suspended, leaving numerous tourists stranded. Snow that began late Monday night covered large portions of the region. Officials stated that National Highway 44 was shut due to heavy snow buildup near the Navyug tunnel at Qazigund and along the Banihal stretch.
At Srinagar International Airport, all 58 scheduled flights — including 29 arrivals and 29 departures — were cancelled as persistent snowfall rendered the runway unsafe for operations.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has predicted light to moderate rain or snowfall in most areas, with chances of thunderstorms or gusty winds in some locations. Light precipitation is also expected on Wednesday.