Watch: Massive avalanche hits Sarbal area of Sonamarg in Kashmir, BRO starts clearing snow

An avalanche occurred in the Sarbal area of Sonamarg in Kashmir on Monday (Apr 29), causing traffic chaosas well astriggering 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’sBorder Roads Organisation (BRO) soon launched a snow-clearing operation near the site under name ‘Project Beacon’.

Heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir

India’sUnion 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.

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

#Watch | A huge avalanche struck Sarbal area of Sonamarg in central #Kashmir's Ganderbal district this afternoon.

The avalanche occurred near the forest side of the area. However, there were no reports of any damage till the reports last came in. pic.twitter.com/iggcTP5aba — DD News (@DDNewslive) April 29, 2024

Officials saidthata route linking Poonch and Rajouri districts in Jammu with southKashmir'sShopian district hasalsobeen closed for three days now as massive snowfall occurred in Peer Ki Gali and adjoining areas.

Officials say the rainfall over the last three days has increased theflow of waterin all rivers, lakes and streams in the territory.The Meteorological (MeT) office saidthat more rainfallwas expectedtooccur 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 BROwhichaims to keep traffic moving at Zojila Pass, restoring and improving Amarnath Yatra tracks, and clearing snow on roads.

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

(With inputs from agencies)