Post by : Meena
Hassan
In Jammu and Kashmir, heavy snowfall led to a significant avalanche in Sonamarg's Sarbal area on Tuesday night. A viral video depicted snow violently surging towards buildings and hotels, showcasing the ferocity of the event. Fortunately, officials confirmed that there were no injuries or fatalities linked to this incident.
The avalanche occurred at approximately 10:12 pm, displacing a substantial amount of snow towards nearby infrastructure. The area was already on high alert due to ongoing snowfall, prompting concerns about potential avalanches.
The Jammu & Kashmir Disaster Management Authority had issued avalanche alerts for 11 districts, with severe warnings for regions above 2,000 meters in Ganderbal, and medium-risk alerts spanning other districts like Anantnag, Baramulla, Kupwara, and Doda.
Tuesday's heavy snow in Kashmir caused significant travel disruptions. The Jammu–Srinagar highway was shut down, and all flights from Srinagar airport faced cancellations, leaving numerous tourists stranded.
In a related effort, the Border Roads Organisation managed to rescue 60 individuals, including 40 Army personnel, who were stuck for nearly two days under 5-6 feet of snow at Chattergala Pass on the Bhaderwah-Chamba Road in Doda district. The operation required approximately 40 hours of relentless work.
Recently, a tragic incident occurred on this same route, leading to the loss of 10 Army soldiers when their vehicle slipped off a mountain road at Khanni Top.
The region continues to remain on high alert as heavy snowfall and the risk of avalanches challenge both residents and travelers.
English
