Huge avalanche hits J&K’s Sonamarg, no casualties reported

In Jammu and Kashmir, a  massive avalanche struck the Sarbal area of Sonmarg in Ganderbal district on Wednesday. There was no loss of life or injuries reported. A video of the avalanche was also caught on the camera. Snow avalanches are most likely to occur after a fresh snowfall adds a new layer to a snowpack. 

- Massive Avalanche Rocks India

A video posted on social media captures a dramatic moment as a truck is swallowed by a powerful avalanche in India’s Jammu and Kashmir region.

Fortunately, no fatalities or injuries have been reported as a result of this event.

Jammu… pic.twitter.com/JHHuBVoC7N

— The Informant (@theinformant_x) March 5, 2025

Avalanches can be triggered by natural forces, such as the pull of gravity on a steep slope, earthquakes, warming temperatures (weakening the bonds between the layers), wind, terrain, vegetation and general snowpack conditions.
They can also be caused by human activity, such as the load of a skier, construction/development activities or by use of explosives (to set off hazardous slopes) as part of avalanche control.Snow avalanches are common in the Himalayas, particularly the Western Himalayas - the snowy regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Western Uttar Pradesh.There are three types of snow avalanche zones. The Red Zone is the most dangerous, with an impact pressure of more than 3 tonnes per square metre.