Kashmir, India

An avalanche occurred in the Sarbal area of Sonamarg in Kashmir on Monday (Apr 29), causing traffic chaos as well as triggering panic among people and livestock in the area. A video that emerged on social media showed the massive avalanche hitting a forest area, thus resulting in no casualties. India’s Border Roads Organisation (BRO) soon launched a snow-clearing operation near the site under name ‘Project Beacon’.

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Heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir

India’s Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed heavy rainfall over the past few days, causing landslides and avalanches in several regions. Another video from the state showed a house getting destroyed in a landslide in Uri near the Line of Control, the de facto border between India and Pakistan.

On April 29, the Jammu-Srinagar national highway was also closed following heavy rains and landslides. Notably, the highway is the only all-weather road linking Kashmir to the rest of India. The highway was blocked at Mehar, Gangroo, Mom Passi and Kishtwari Pather in Ramban district, a PTI report said.

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Officials said that a route linking Poonch and Rajouri districts in Jammu with south Kashmir's Shopian district has also been closed for three days now as massive snowfall occurred in Peer Ki Gali and adjoining areas.

Also read: Heavy rains lash Jammu and Kashmir, highways closed for traffic

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Officials say the rainfall over the last three days has increased the flow of water in all rivers, lakes and streams in the territory. The Meteorological (MeT) office said that more rainfall was expected to occur in the next 24 hours. Several schools in the territory have been shut prone to landslides and inundation.

Project Beacon

Project Beacon is the oldest campaign of the BRO which aims to keep traffic moving at Zojila Pass, restoring and improving Amarnath Yatra tracks, and clearing snow on roads.

Also read: Chamber for Commerce and Industries Kashmir gives platform to 46 women-led startups to show their talent 

The initiative was launched in the 1960s, which involves development and maintenance of vital road infrastructure in key Kashmir regions, including the Zojila Pass, which connects Drass with the Kashmir valley.

(With inputs from agencies)