Dramatic CCTV footage from northern India shows a powerful avalanche engulfing homes in the tourist town of Sonamarg, Jammu and Kashmir, as severe winter weather battered the region late Tuesday night, January 27. The footage captures the moment a normally quiet residential area is suddenly overwhelmed by a fast-moving wall of snow.

The avalanche struck with little warning, burying buildings and streets under heavy snow within seconds. Video from security cameras shows darkness pierced by rushing snow as structures disappear from view, highlighting the force and speed of the collapse from nearby snow-laden slopes.

Sonamarg, a popular destination known for its alpine scenery, has been experiencing intense snowfall as part of a broader winter storm system affecting northern India. Authorities had previously issued warnings about avalanche risks due to unstable snowpack conditions in higher elevations.

Emergency responders were dispatched to assess damage and check for possible casualties, though officials had not immediately confirmed injuries or fatalities at the time of reporting. Local authorities urged residents and tourists to avoid vulnerable areas and follow safety advisories as weather conditions remain hazardous.

The incident underscores the growing danger posed by extreme winter weather in mountainous regions, where avalanches can strike suddenly and with devastating consequences for communities living along snow-prone slopes.