Captured on Camera: Massive Avalanche Hits Sonamarg Tourist Resort in Jammu and Kashmir

A massive avalanche struck the popular tourist destination of Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir late Tuesday night, triggering panic among residents and visitors. Officials, however, confirmed that no injuries or fatalities were reported.

The avalanche occurred at around 10:12 p.m. in the Ganderbal district of central Kashmir. Dramatic CCTV footage circulating locally shows a towering wall of snow cascading down the mountainside, engulfing multiple structures in its path.

Despite the sheer force of the avalanche and the damage captured on camera, officials said all individuals in the affected area were safe. Emergency response teams and local authorities were immediately deployed to assess damage and monitor any further threats.

The incident comes amid intense Snowfall across Kashmir, which has significantly disrupted daily life. Hundreds of tourists were left stranded after the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway was shut down, while all flights at Srinagar International Airport were cancelled.

Officials said snowfall that began late Monday night led to heavy accumulation, particularly near the Navyug Tunnel at Qazigund and the Banihal stretch, forcing the closure of National Highway 44.

At Srinagar airport, all 58 scheduled flights—including 29 arrivals and 29 departures—were cancelled. Authorities cited unsafe runway conditions caused by continuous snowfall as the reason for suspending air operations.

The India Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rain or snowfall across much of the region, with the possibility of thunderstorms or gusty winds in some areas. Light precipitation is also expected to continue on Wednesday.

In response to the heightened risk, the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Disaster Management Authority has issued avalanche warnings for 11 districts. Areas above 2,000 metres in Ganderbal district have been placed under a high-danger alert.

Medium-danger warnings have also been issued for similar elevations in Anantnag, Bandipora, Baramulla, Kulgam, and Kupwara in Kashmir, as well as Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, and Ramban in the Jammu region.

Authorities have urged residents and tourists to avoid avalanche-prone areas, follow official advisories, and remain alert as weather conditions continue to pose serious risks across the region.