On Monday, a significant avalanche occurred in the Sarbal region of Sonamarg within central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, coinciding with intense rain and snowfall. Footage of the event showed the avalanche cascading down a snow-laden mountainslope. Officials confirmed that there were no injuries or financial damages as the avalanche impacted an uninhabited forest area in Sonamarg, avoiding any structural damage.
Concurrently, heavy rainfall triggered landslides across various parts of Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. The adverse weather conditions also caused roadblocks in Mehar, Gangroo, Mom Passi, and Kishtwari Pather within Ramban district. Additionally, on the preceding Sunday, thirty-five vehicles were reported stranded in the snow at Razdan Top along the Bandipora-Gurez route in the region.
Significant destruction was also observed on April 27 in Pernote village, roughly six kilometers from Ramban town, where landslides damaged roads, homes, and power infrastructure. In the last three days, relentless rain has elevated water levels in all rivers, lakes, and waterways across Kashmir. The local Meteorological (MeT) office anticipates that this weather will continue for a few more days.
In response, numerous schools in flood-prone and landslide-susceptible areas have temporarily shut down as a safety precaution.
