A massive avalanche tore through the Sarbal area of Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district late Tuesday night, sending a towering wall of snow crashing toward residential buildings, hotels, vehicles, and a popular tourist resort. The dramatic incident, captured on CCTV and mobile cameras, unfolded at approximately 10:12 pm, amid extreme winter conditions gripping the Union Territory.

The chilling visuals, which have since gone viral on social media, show thick volumes of snow cascading down the mountainside with tremendous force, engulfing structures in its path and triggering panic among residents and tourists. Despite the scale and intensity of the avalanche, authorities confirmed that no injuries or fatalities have been reported so far.

Avalanche Hits Sarbal Area of Sonamarg

According to officials cited by PTI and local authorities, the avalanche originated in the upper reaches of the Sarbal area, a zone prone to snow slides during prolonged winter spells. As the snow mass descended rapidly, it struck houses, hotels, parked vehicles, and parts of a tourist resort located along the avalanche’s trajectory.

CCTV footage from the area recorded the precise moment when the snowstorm advanced, forming a powerful white wall that swallowed buildings within seconds. Emergency response teams and local administration officials rushed to the site soon after the incident to assess damage and monitor the situation for any secondary avalanches or risks.

Officials reiterated multiple times that, despite the dramatic visuals and visible impact, there were no reports of loss of life or injuries, a fact that came as a major relief amid ongoing severe weather conditions in the region.

Prior Avalanche Warnings in Place

The avalanche occurred against the backdrop of pre-emptive warnings issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Disaster Management Authority (JKUTDMA). On Monday, the authority had already placed Sonamarg and surrounding regions under a high-intensity or high-danger avalanche warning following continuous snowfall across the Kashmir Valley.

Specifically, the JKUTDMA had issued avalanche alerts across 11 districts in Jammu and Kashmir. A high-danger warning was in force for areas located above 2,000 metres in Ganderbal district, which includes Sonamarg. Meanwhile, medium-danger warnings were issued for similar elevations in several other districts.

In the Kashmir region, medium-risk alerts covered Anantnag, Bandipora, Baramulla, Kulgam, and Kupwara. In the Jammu division, warnings were issued for Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, and Ramban districts.

Authorities had urged residents, tourists, and travellers to remain cautious, avoid avalanche-prone slopes, and follow advisories issued by local administrations.

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

Heavy Snowfall Paralyzes Kashmir Valley

The avalanche in Sonamarg was one of several disruptions triggered by fresh and sustained snowfall across Kashmir, which began late Monday night and intensified through Tuesday. By morning, large parts of the valley were blanketed in snow, severely affecting road, rail, and air connectivity.

One of the most significant disruptions was the closure of the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, the lifeline that connects the Kashmir Valley to the rest of the country. Officials said the highway was shut after heavy snow accumulated near the Navyug tunnel at Qazigund and along the Banihal stretch, making travel unsafe.

The shutdown left hundreds of vehicles stranded on both sides of the highway, while passengers and essential supplies faced delays. Authorities deployed snow clearance teams, but continued snowfall hampered restoration efforts.

All Flights Cancelled at Srinagar Airport

Air travel in the region also came to a complete halt. At Srinagar International Airport, authorities cancelled all 58 scheduled flights, including 29 arrivals and 29 departures, due to unsafe runway conditions caused by persistent snowfall.

Airport officials stated that snow accumulation on the runway and poor visibility made aircraft operations impossible throughout the day. The cancellations left hundreds of tourists stranded in Srinagar and nearby areas, with hotels reporting extended stays and increased demand for accommodation.

VIDEO | An avalanche hit Sonamarg tourist resort in Jammu and Kashmir late Tuesday night, but there was no loss of life, officials said.

They said the avalanche hit Sonamarg resort in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district at 10.12 pm on Tuesday.

The massive avalanche was caught… pic.twitter.com/Dw5Dl9FCDp— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 27, 2026

Tourist Hub Sonamarg Faces Winter Fury

Sonamarg, often referred to as the “Meadow of Gold,” is one of Kashmir’s most popular tourist destinations, especially during winter when it attracts visitors seeking snow experiences. However, its location at a higher altitude also makes it particularly vulnerable to avalanches during prolonged snowfall.

Tuesday night’s avalanche sparked panic among locals and visitors alike, though the absence of casualties prevented the situation from escalating further. Authorities continued to monitor the area closely, especially as weather conditions remained unpredictable.

BRO Rescues Stranded Personnel in Doda District

Elsewhere in Jammu and Kashmir, the impact of heavy snowfall was equally severe. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) carried out a major rescue operation at Chattergala Pass along the Bhaderwah-Chamba Road in the hilly Doda district.

Following snowfall that buried the region under 5 to 6 feet of snow on January 23, at least 60 people, including 40 Army personnel, were stranded at the pass. The BRO launched an intensive clearance and rescue mission that lasted nearly 40 hours, eventually restoring partial access and evacuating those trapped.

The Bhaderwah-Chamba Road, a critical mountain route, is known for extreme winter conditions, and snowfall frequently disrupts connectivity during this time of year.

#BREAKING: Dramatic visuals of an avalanche caught on CCTV in Sonmarg of Central Kashmir tonight in India. No loss of life or major damage reported. More details are awaited. pic.twitter.com/FZkJRpFTcg— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) January 27, 2026

Recent Tragedy Highlights Risks in Snowbound Areas

The dangers of travelling in snow-covered terrain were underscored by a tragic incident last week in the same region. Ten Army soldiers were killed and 11 others injured when their bulletproof vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge at Khanni Top, located at an altitude of around 9,000 feet along the Bhaderwah-Chamba Road.

The accident highlighted the persistent risks posed by icy roads, poor visibility, and unstable terrain during winter operations in Jammu and Kashmir’s mountainous districts.

Weather Forecast and Continued Alerts

According to the Meteorological Department, weather conditions are expected to remain challenging over the coming days. The department has forecast light to moderate rain or snowfall across most areas, with the possibility of thunder or gusty winds in some locations. Light precipitation is also expected to continue on Wednesday.

Given the forecast and existing snow accumulation, authorities have urged residents and travellers to remain vigilant, follow official advisories, and avoid unnecessary movement in high-altitude and avalanche-prone areas.

Authorities Remain on High Alert

Following the Sonamarg avalanche, local administration, disaster response teams, and security forces remain on high alert across vulnerable zones. Surveillance of avalanche-prone slopes has been intensified, and emergency response units have been kept on standby to respond swiftly to any further incidents.

While the absence of casualties in Tuesday night’s avalanche has brought some relief, officials cautioned that winter hazards in the region are far from over, especially as snowfall continues and temperatures remain low.

As Jammu and Kashmir battles one of its harsher winter spells this season, the Sonamarg avalanche serves as a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictability—and the importance of preparedness, timely warnings, and coordinated response in safeguarding lives.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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