India
oi-Swastika Sruti
Sudden cloudburst occurred in the Ranga Morh area near Sonamarg and the Zojila Pass on Thursday which further led to a massive landslide.
A cloudburst near Sonamarg and Zojila Pass caused a landslide Thursday, blocking the Srinagar-Leh Highway; Border Roads Organisation is clearing debris, reporting no casualties for this incident.
The landslide disrupted traffic on the key route connecting Kashmir with Ladakh. A Sharp rise in water levels were also reported in nearby streams following the heavy rainfall.
No casualties have been reported in the latest incident.
The landslide led to debris covering the section of the highway halting the traffic. Officials have also advised people to stay away from riverbanks, streams and water channels, particularly as water levels could rise suddenly after heavy rainfall.
Today evening, torrential rainfall lashed Bhaderwah, triggered by a powerful cumulonimbus thunderstorm. The cloud is estimated to have reached an altitude of around 15 km, indicating a very deep and intense convective storm.
The intense rainfall caused flash flooding in… pic.twitter.com/CAOAK1HQiX
— 𝑬𝒓. 𝑺𝒂𝒍𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 (@ersalmanahanger) August 13, 2026
BRO Starts Road-Clearing Work
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) deployed personnel and machinery to the affected location and the team is working to remove the blocked area to resume the traffic.
Authorities are keeping a close watch on the area because further rainfall could lead to additional mudslides or landslides.
Commuters travelling towards Sonamarg, Zojila or Ladakh have been advised to remain cautious and follow instructions issued by the authorities.
Cloudburst reported in Sonamarg
A heavy cloudburst hit Ranga Morh in Sonamarg this evening, causing water levels in nearby streams and rivers to rise quickly.
The Srinagar–Leh Highway has been shut for now, and teams are working on clearing the route. pic.twitter.com/JLZk0Kpkqo
— KashmirRains (@kashmirRains) August 13, 2026
No Loss of Life Reported
However the better side of the story is that there have been no casualties reported following the cloudburst and landslide.
However, the sudden blockage of the Srinagar-Leh Highway has raised concerns for travellers using the route. The highway is an important road link between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh, making the quick restoration of traffic a priority for the authorities.
The reopening of the road will depend on how quickly the debris can be cleared and whether weather conditions remain favourable.
Cloudburst strikes Sonamarg
An intense cloudburst was this evening recorded in the Ranga Morh area of Sonamarg, triggering a significant rise in water levels of the stream and the river.
The cloudburst has also led to the closure of the Srinagar–Leh Highway. Clearance… pic.twitter.com/bTM3I4ALE8
— Kashmir Weather (@Kashmir_Weather) August 13, 2026
J&K Saw Several Cloudbursts Earlier This Month
The latest incident comes only days after a series of cloudbursts affected different parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
On August 3, cloudbursts triggered flash floods in several areas, including Kupwara, Pahalgam, Shopian and Bandipora.
In the Lolab area of Kupwara, 52-year-old Naseema Begum was swept away by floodwaters while attempting to cross a culvert over a swollen stream, officials said.
The flash floods also damaged a mosque and a footbridge at Bimla Wali Moori in Kupwara.
Several roads and bridges were also affected in different areas.
