Key Points
- A devastating cloudburst hit Ramban district’s Seri Bagna and Dharam Kund villages, killing three including two children and leaving dozens of homes destroyed.
- Over 100 villagers were rescued in a dramatic overnight operation as flash floods and landslides swept the region.
- The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), the region’s lifeline, is closed in both directions due to landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones.
- Essential supplies are disrupted, vehicles stranded, and emergency teams remain on high alert as more rain is forecast.
- Authorities urge residents and travelers to avoid the area and follow official advisories.
Ramban: While much of India reels under a heatwave, Jammu & Kashmir is battling a catastrophic natural disaster. Torrential rains unleashed a deadly cloudburst in Ramban district early Sunday, April 20, triggering flash floods and landslides that have devastated local communities and paralyzed the region’s critical transport artery.
Tragedy Strikes: Three Dead, Including Two Children
The cloudburst struck the Seri Bagna area of Ramban, claiming the lives of three people two children, Aqib Ahmad and Saqib Ahmad (sons of Mohammad Haneef), and Muneer Ahmad, a resident of Bhagna village. The disaster destroyed dozens of homes, swept away vehicles, and left families homeless and grieving.
Massive Rescue Efforts Amid Relentless Rain
As floodwaters surged through villages, local police, SDRF, and Civil QRT Ramban teams launched urgent rescue operations, braving hazardous conditions to save more than 100 stranded villagers from Dharam Kund and surrounding areas. The swift action of authorities, coordinated by Deputy Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary, is credited with preventing an even greater loss of life.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh, monitoring the situation closely, assured that all possible relief financial and otherwise is being provided, with additional resources available if needed. He urged residents to remain calm and avoid panic as emergency teams continue their efforts.
Jammu-Srinagar National Highway: Completely Blocked
The relentless downpour has triggered landslides and mudslides at nearly a dozen points between Nashri and Banihal, forcing the complete closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44). Hundreds of vehicles are stranded, and the supply of essential goods has been severely disrupted. Authorities have advised commuters to avoid unnecessary travel and to stay updated through official traffic advisories until the highway is cleared and safe for movement.
Extensive Damage: Homes, Vehicles, and Infrastructure
Preliminary reports indicate that over 40 residential houses have been damaged or destroyed, with several vehicles swept away as swollen streams overflowed into populated areas. The disaster has left children, the elderly, and the sick particularly vulnerable, as water has inundated homes and essential services are disrupted.
Ongoing Threat: Landslides and Weather Warnings
With rain continuing to lash the region and forecasts predicting further inclement weather, the risk of additional landslides and flash floods remains high. Emergency teams are on high alert, and restoration efforts are underway, but the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
This latest disaster underscores the increasing vulnerability of Jammu & Kashmir to extreme weather events, highlighting the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure in the region.
