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A massive avalanche hit the tourist resort of Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir late Tuesday night, triggering panic among people in the area but causing no reported casualties, officials said. The incident occurred in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district at around 10 pm, where a large volume of snow rushed down a mountainside and struck buildings along its path.
CCTV footage from the area showed a powerful wall of snow descending rapidly and engulfing several structures.
Despite the visible impact and damage, officials confirmed that no casualties have been reported so far. Emergency teams and local authorities quickly reached the area to assess the situation and monitor any continuing risk.
The avalanche came as fresh snowfall across Kashmir disrupted normal life on Tuesday. The Jammu–Srinagar national highway was shut, and all flights at Srinagar airport were cancelled, leaving hundreds of tourists stranded in the valley.
Snowfall that began late Monday night covered large parts of the region. Officials said National Highway 44 was closed after heavy snow accumulated near the Navyug tunnel at Qazigund and along the Banihal stretch.
At Srinagar International Airport, all 58 scheduled flights — 29 arrivals and 29 departures — were cancelled. Authorities said continuous snowfall made the runway unsafe for aircraft operations.
The Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rain or snow across most areas, with the possibility of thunder or gusty winds in some places. Light precipitation is also expected on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Disaster Management Authority has issued avalanche warnings for 11 districts. A high-danger warning is in place for areas above 2,000 metres in Ganderbal district. Medium-danger warnings have been issued for similar elevations in Anantnag, Bandipora, Baramulla, Kulgam and Kupwara in Kashmir, and in Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri and Ramban in the Jammu region.
CCTV footage from the area showed a powerful wall of snow descending rapidly and engulfing several structures.
Initial reports indicate a high-intensity avalanche in the Sonamarg area.
The avalanche occurred near the stretch where Inter Mountain Sonamarg and Sonamarg Inn Hotels are located, with some impact reported in the surrounding area.
No casualties or injuries have been reported so… pic.twitter.com/XgQREBdtZP
— Kashmir Weather (@Kashmir_Weather) January 27, 2026
Despite the visible impact and damage, officials confirmed that no casualties have been reported so far. Emergency teams and local authorities quickly reached the area to assess the situation and monitor any continuing risk.
Snowfall disrupts transport
The avalanche came as fresh snowfall across Kashmir disrupted normal life on Tuesday. The Jammu–Srinagar national highway was shut, and all flights at Srinagar airport were cancelled, leaving hundreds of tourists stranded in the valley.
Snowfall that began late Monday night covered large parts of the region. Officials said National Highway 44 was closed after heavy snow accumulated near the Navyug tunnel at Qazigund and along the Banihal stretch.
At Srinagar International Airport, all 58 scheduled flights — 29 arrivals and 29 departures — were cancelled. Authorities said continuous snowfall made the runway unsafe for aircraft operations.
Weather forecast
The Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rain or snow across most areas, with the possibility of thunder or gusty winds in some places. Light precipitation is also expected on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Disaster Management Authority has issued avalanche warnings for 11 districts. A high-danger warning is in place for areas above 2,000 metres in Ganderbal district. Medium-danger warnings have been issued for similar elevations in Anantnag, Bandipora, Baramulla, Kulgam and Kupwara in Kashmir, and in Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri and Ramban in the Jammu region.
