Massive avalanche strikes Sonamarg

Srinagar, February 8

A massive avalanche struck along the Srinagar-Leh highway at the Sarbal area near the tourist destination of Sonamarg in central Kashmir. The avalanche caught on camera, however, has not caused any injury, officials said.

They said the avalanche occurred around 2 pm at the Sarbal area near the workshop for the Zojila tunnel construction site in Sonamarg.

“The avalanche hit the same place where a similar incident occurred last year. However, this time, we had relocated our workers from the area, and fortunately, no one was injured,” Harpal Singh, project manager for the Zojila tunnel told The Tribune.

He said the avalanche hit the Baltal side and there was no work currently going on there.

Two labourers working on the Zojila tunnel project were killed last year in January when an avalanche struck the Sarbal area.

Last year’s twin avalanches occurred a day after the higher reaches of the Kashmir Valley experienced heavy snowfall. Similarly, this year’s avalanche occurred following heavy snowfall in the area, prompting authorities to advise people living in avalanche-prone areas to stay indoors.