Watch: Massive avalanche hits Sarbal area of Sonmarg in Jammu and Kashmir

A massive avalanche struck the Sarbal area of Sonmarg in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Wednesday, sending a blanket of snow cascading down the mountainside. Fortunately, there were no reports of casualties or injuries from the incident, and authorities have confirmed the safety of residents and visitors in the area. A video capturing the dramatic moment of the avalanche’s descent has circulated on social media, highlighting the immense force and scale of the event.

Snow avalanches are a common phenomenon in the Himalayan region, particularly in the Western Himalayas, which includes parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Western Uttar Pradesh. These natural events are most likely to occur after fresh snowfall, which adds a new layer to the snowpack, making it more susceptible to slipping down slopes. The occurrence of avalanches can be triggered by a variety of natural forces such as gravity, warming temperatures, earthquakes, or strong winds. Additionally, human activities like skiing, construction, or even the use of explosives for avalanche control can also contribute to triggering these events.