Ramban/Jammu, April 20 – Heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district early Sunday morning triggered flash floods and landslides, leading to the deaths of three people and forcing emergency teams to rescue over 100 residents from affected areas. As per agency report, continuous rainfall caused multiple landslides and mudslides at around a dozen locations along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway between Nashri and Banihal, halting traffic in both directions.
Officials confirmed that the fatalities occurred in Seri Bagna village following a cloudburst. The deceased have been identified as Aqib Ahmad and Mohammad Saqib, two brothers. Search and rescue operations continued in the area as emergency teams remained on site to assess damage and assist survivors.
With these three new fatalities, the death toll in rain-related incidents across the Jammu region over the past two days has risen to five. On Saturday night, two individuals, including a woman, were killed by lightning in the Arnas area of Reasi district, while another woman sustained injuries.
In the village of Dharm Kund, flash floods caused extensive property damage, affecting nearly 40 homes. Of these, 10 houses were reported to have been completely destroyed, while the rest suffered partial structural damage. Despite persistent rainfall and the threat of further cloudbursts, local police reached the affected village and managed to rescue more than 100 stranded residents.
Authorities reported that several vehicles were swept away due to the rising water levels in a nearby reservoir. A senior district official stated that severe weather, including heavy rain, cloudbursts, strong winds, landslides, and hailstorms, had led to widespread damage across the district. He added that the administration was closely monitoring the situation and would conduct a damage assessment later to determine the required relief, but the immediate priority remained safeguarding human lives.
Traffic officials confirmed that vehicle movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway had been suspended due to ongoing landslides and falling rocks. Travelers have been advised to avoid the highway until the weather improves and road clearance operations are complete. With the 250-kilometer highway being the only surface route connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India, the closure left hundreds of passengers stranded.
A portion of the road near Panthiyal was also washed away. However, officials confirmed that all those trapped on the route had been safely relocated. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is expected to hold a review meeting later today to assess the situation and coordinate further response efforts.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh praised the swift and effective response by the district administration, led by Deputy Commissioner Basir-ul-Haq Choudhary. He acknowledged the timely efforts made to rescue and protect lives, noting the challenging conditions caused by hailstorms, landslides, and strong winds in and around Ramban town.
Posting on social media platform X, Singh expressed condolences for the lives lost and damage incurred, while assuring that relief efforts were being carried out, including financial assistance. He also offered to contribute from his personal resources if additional support is needed and urged the public not to panic, assuring them that collective efforts would help overcome the natural calamity.
