A man who was watching his family shovel snow was buried under a massive avalanche that fell from the roof.

Surveillance camera footage recorded in the city of Zhoukou, in Henan, China, showed the relatives clearing snow in their front yard on February 24.

But just moments later one man standing on the side and eating melon seeds can be seen collapsing to the ground when a large mound of melting snow from the rooftop unexpectedly crashed upon him.

A frightened child can meanwhile be seen hurrying towards the home, as the rest of the family members watch in disbelief.

As the man tried to regain his footing, the rest of the group could be heard laughing at him.

Chinese media reported that nobody was injured in the incident.