Second Avalanche in Days Ravages Kishtwar Amid Heavy Snowfall

A powerful avalanche thundered down from the high slopes of Warwan valley in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Wednesday, marking the second major snow-related event in the region within a week. Triggered by relentless heavy snowfall, the wall of snow buried seasonal grazing areas and shepherd shelters in this remote mountainous stretch. Panic spread among nearby residents, but authorities confirmed no human lives were lost and no significant property damage occurred beyond the affected grazing zones.

The incident follows a dramatic high-intensity snowstorm that struck Sonamarg in Ganderbal district just a day earlier. On Tuesday night at around 10:12 pm, a sudden rush of snow cascaded toward homes, hotels, and vehicles in the popular tourist destination. CCTV footage captured the fast-moving white mass engulfing buildings in seconds, creating a complete whiteout. Officials reported no injuries or fatalities despite the scale of the event, with residents and visitors escaping harm.

Severe winter weather has gripped most of Jammu and Kashmir over the past few days, bringing substantial fresh snowfall to higher reaches and heavy rain to the plains. The conditions forced the closure of the critical Jammu-Srinagar national highway and led to the complete cancellation of flights at Srinagar airport, stranding hundreds of tourists in the Kashmir Valley.

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Local administrations in Kishtwar and other districts have issued strong advisories urging people to steer clear of avalanche-prone zones until weather stabilizes. The back-to-back events serve as a stark reminder of the heightened risks in the Himalayas during peak winter, calling for continued vigilance among locals, shepherds, and visitors.

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