Avalanche Hits J&K's Sonamarg After Fresh Spell Of Snow: Watch

An avalanche hit Jammu and Kashmir's Sonamarg region after the area received a fresh spell of snowfall. A video of the avalanche is also doing the rounds on social media.

Avalanche near Baltal, Zojila in Sonamarg area of Ganderbal district.

New Delhi: The tourist hub of Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district was hit by an avalanche on Thursday, the video of which has been widely shared on social media.

#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir: A snow avalanche occurred near Baltal, Zojila in Sonamarg area of Ganderbal district. No loss has been reported. pic.twitter.com/BdGLhOEOhz

— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2023

Cold conditions have intensified sub-zero temperatures in most places in Jammu and Kashmir. The union territory would have no respite from the cold spell with the prediction of a minimum temperature of -6 degrees.

On Wednesday, the weather department said there would be a gradual increase in the intensity and distribution of snow or rain as the day progresses with the main activity towards evening or night.

Some places, mainly the higher reaches, may receive heavy snowfall, the MeT office said.

It said there is a possibility of widespread light to moderate snow or rain in the plains of Jammu on Thursday.

On Friday, light snow or rain has been predicted at a few places in Jammu and Kashmir. The weather department predicted a dry weather till January 17. Kashmir is currently under the grip of 'Chillai Kalan', the 40-day harshest weather period when the chances of snowfall are maximum and most frequent.

WEATHER UPDATE

After some relief from the cold wave on Wednesday, parts of Uttar Pradesh were engulfed in a thick layer of fog on Thursday. It is likely that several parts of North India may experience a drop in temperature to a minimum of -4 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius in the plains. According to weather experts, a severe chill would be experienced between January 14 and 19 and is likely to be at its peak from January 16 to 18.

The minimum temperature is likely to hover between 0 to 4 degrees Celsius this week in Punjab, Haryana, New Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Northern Madhya Pradesh.

Cloudy weather and light rain are predicted over the national capital for the next two days under the influence of a strong western disturbance affecting northwest India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday.

While there has been a significant improvement in North India in terms of fog and chill due to the strong winds blowing in because of a Western Disturbance, MeT experts believe that the weather is likely to get cold and foggy soon. 

(With PTI inputs)