With the latest fatalities, five people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents in the Jammu region in two days
SRINAGAR: A devastating cloudburst and landslides wreaked havoc in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district, leaving, at least, three persons dead and causing significant damage to properties and blocking the vital Srinagar-Jammu national highway.
While confirming the death of three persons including two children due to a house collapse in the impact of a cloudburst at Bagna in Ramban’s Dharamkund area, the officials said that more than one hundred people caught in flash floods and mudslides were rescued and relocated to safer locations across the district.
They said that the Srinagar-Jammu highway (NH44) has been blocked at five places due to multiple landslides triggered by torrential rains. Hundreds of passengers and goods vehicles have been stranded along the Banihal-Ramban stretch of the highway, they added.
SSP Ramban Kulbir Singh said that two hotels, several shops, some residential houses and a few vehicles were damaged. Deputy Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary said that relief and rescue operations were started soon after various parts of the district were struck by torrential rains which were accompanied by thunder and hail storms and a devastating cloudburst.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh in a post on ‘X’ said that a heavy hailstorm, multiple landslides and fast winds throughout the night played havoc in the Ramban region, including the areas surrounding the Ramban town. “The National Highway stands blocked and unfortunately there have been 3 casualties and loss of property for a couple of families. I am in constant touch with Deputy Commissioner Mr Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary,” he said, adding, “The district administration deserves appreciation for timely and prompt action, which helped save several precious lives”.
Mr. Singh said, “Every kind of relief, both financial and otherwise, is being provided. The DC has been conveyed that, if need be, whatever more is required, can be provided from MP’s personal resources as well. The request is not to panic. We shall all, together, overcome this natural calamity.”
SSP Traffic National Highway (Ramban), Raja Adil Hamid Ganaie, that some light motor vehicles were damaged after these were hit by landslides, but all the stranded passengers have escaped unharmed. He said that the highway is blocked at five locations including Panthyal, Seri and Kishtwari Pathar due to landslides and shooting stones and once the rains stop, the restoration work will be taken by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO)’s BEACON project.
DC Mr. Chaudhary while talking to reporters assured that “all kinds of losses—be it life, livestock, or property—will be compensated as per the law.” He said that the “swift response and bravery” by officials, security forces and residents played a crucial role in minimizing damage during this natural calamity.
Most parts of J&K and neighbouring areas have been receiving heavy rains for the past few days, triggering landslides and flash floods. At several places including the Shopian, Kulgam and Ganderbal districts of the Kashmir Valley, intense hailstorms damaged fruit crops. Also, moderate to heavy snowfalls have been reported from the higher-reaches of the Valley.
A spokesman of the J&K Traffic Police Department said that while the Mughal Road connecting the frontier region of Rajouri-Poonch with the Kashmir Valley’s Shopian district has been reopened for light motor vehicles (Poonch towards Shopian only), the Srinagar-Jammu, Sonamarg-Gumri (Ladakh highway), and Sinthan Road (connecting Kashmir Valley with the Kishtwar-Doda region of Jammu) continue to remain shut due to prevailing hostile weather and road conditions.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has expressed grief over the loss of lives in Ramban. “Deeply anguished by the tragic loss of precious lives due to the flash floods triggered by incessant rain in Ramban. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief,” he said, adding that the district administration, SDRF, rescue teams are on the job to ensure swift rescue and relief, and that all possible assistance is being extended to the affected families.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in a post on ‘X’ said that he is extremely anguished by the tragic landslide and flash flood in Ramban. “My thoughts are with the affected families in this difficult hour. We are in touch with the local administration to ensure immediate rescue efforts wherever needed,” he said, adding, “Later today, I will be reviewing restoration, relief, and repair plans. For now, the focus remains on managing the situation on the ground. Citizens are advised to follow travel advisories and avoid non-essential movement in vulnerable areas.”
Kashmir’s chief Muslim cleric and chairman of separatist Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and property caused by the cloudburst in Ramban. I hope the authorities will ensure swift rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts for the hundreds displaced."
