Avalanche strikes Sonamarg, Jammu and Kashmir: Heavy snowfall continues, several hotels damaged
An avalanche struck Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday night due to continuous heavy snowfall. While no casualties have been reported so far, several hotels have been damaged.
Officials said the avalanche occurred at 10:12 PM on Tuesday at the Sonamarg resort in the Ganderbal district of central Kashmir. Rescue teams have been dispatched to the site. Officials said they are monitoring the situation.
Heavy snowfall continues in Jammu and Kashmir and other hilly states. The Meteorological Department had issued an avalanche alert in view of this.
The Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Disaster Management Authority (JKUTDMA) had issued an avalanche warning for eleven districts of Kashmir, including Ganderbal, Anantnag, Bandipora, Baramulla, Kulgam, and Kupwara, and for Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, and Ramban in the Jammu region.
Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained closed
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained closed on Tuesday due to heavy snowfall. This caused considerable inconvenience to people, along with the cancellation of all flights at Srinagar Airport. Despite ongoing snow clearing efforts, traffic was not being allowed on the highway.
Emergency services and the movement of armed forces were also disrupted. Officials said that rescue and road clearing operations are underway.
Flights cancelled
At Srinagar Airport, 29 incoming and 29 outgoing flights were canceled. Officials said the runway had become unsafe for operations due to continuous snowfall.
Officials said train services were also affected due to the snowfall. Some trains between Banihal and Budgam were canceled. Operations resumed a few hours later after the tracks were cleared.