A massive avalanche hit the famous Sonamarg tourist resort in Jammu and Kashmir late Tuesday night, engulfing buildings, said officials.
However, there were no reports of any loss of life, they added.
The avalanche was caught on CCTV cameras, officials reported, which showed its intensity. It hit Sonamarg resort in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district at 10.12 pm on Tuesday.
Sonamarg and most other parts of the valley received moderate to heavy snowfall over the last 24 hours, with authorities on Monday warning of a high-intensity or high-danger avalanche in the district.
Meanwhile, an avalanche warning was also issued on Tuesday for several high-altitude areas of Uttarakhand, including Badrinath and Kedarnath, following fresh spells of snowfall. Earlier, heavy snowfall on January 23 had blanketed the high-reaches. Intermittent snowfall has been reported since Monday night in Badrinath in Chamoli district and Kedarnath and the surrounding peaks in Rudraprayag district, and the higher reaches of Uttarkashi district.
In view of the constant snowfall and the possibility of avalanches in the high-altitude areas, the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority has alerted all districts.
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According to forecast issued by the Chandigarh-based Defence Geo-Informatics Research Establishment (DGRE), snowfall and avalanches are likely in various high-altitude areas from 5 pm on January 27 to 5 pm on January 28. The body has also placed Uttarkashi, Chamoli, and Rudraprayag in the ‘orange’ category, indicating deep and unstable snow cover on most avalanche paths with a high likelihood of natural avalanches that could reach valley floors.
Additionally, light to moderate rainfall was recorded in lower areas, with Dehradun waking up to a sunny morning on Tuesday, followed by intermittent spells of rain in the afternoon. The Meteorological Department had earlier issued an orange alert, prompting the closure of schools in the capital city.
Chakrata also witnessed snowfall in the evening, attracting a large number of tourists, while the ski resort of Auli received fresh snow.
In the Kumaon region, high peaks around Munsiyari in Pithoragarh district also received snowfall.
Pithoragarh district has been placed in the ‘yellow’ category, where unstable snow is present on some avalanche paths, with the possibility of small natural avalanches in limited areas. Movement in valley areas is possible with caution, but venturing onto snow-covered slopes should be avoided.
As a precautionary measure amid inclement weather, schools up to class 12 have been closed in Tehri, Uttarkashi, Almora, Rudraprayag, Pithoragarh, and Udham Singh Nagar districts.
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