Flash floods wreak havoc in Ramban, claim 5 lives

Jammu-Srinagar highway severely damaged

Jammu Tawi, April 20: At least three persons, including two children and a woman, were killed in flash floods triggered by a cloudburst in the early hours of Sunday in the Ramban district of Jammu. Some people are feared missing, and official confirmation is awaited.

In another incident, two people, including a woman, died in the Arnas area of the Reasi district after being struck by lightning. This brought the total number of deaths in the region to five. Several cattle heads have also perished due to the devastation. The Kargil district of Ladakh has received unseasonal snowfall, affecting normal life.

The flash floods have left a trail of destruction across the Ramban district. Several residential houses have been destroyed, and a large number of taxis, buses, and loaded trucks were buried under the debris carried by the flash floods.

The 270-km vital Jammu-Srinagar highway has been washed away at several places and buried under landslides, leaving hundreds of vehicles and their passengers stranded at different places. The Ramban district administration said that about 100 people have been rescued so far and shifted to safer areas.

Officials confirmed that a cloudburst struck Seri Bagna village in Ramban, killing three people, including two brothers—Aqib Ahmad and Mohammad Saqib.

More than 40 houses and shops were destroyed in the Dharam Kund village of Ramban due to the flash floods. Several vehicles were washed away in the floods.

Deputy Commissioner of Ramban Baseer Ul Haq Choudhary said that the district administration is conducting rescue and relief operations on a war footing. Security forces and locals initiated rescue efforts, bringing marooned people out of the floodwaters.

The road and electricity supply infrastructure in the region has been severely affected.

The Meteorological Centre had issued a weather advisory regarding an active Western Disturbance expected to affect the Union Territory of Jammu Kashmir from 18 to 20 April. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had postponed flagging off the first Vande Bharat to Kashmir from Katra on 19 April due to the adverse weather advisory.

There was a heavy hailstorm, multiple landslides, and fast winds throughout the night in the Ramban region, including the areas surrounding the Ramban town. The National Highway stands blocked and loss of lives and property. The district administration helped save several lives.

LG Sinha, CM Omar express grief over Ramban tragedy

Farooq seeks Central aid for affected families

Jammu, Apr 20: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the loss of three lives due to flash floods triggered by incessant rain in Ramban district while Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary was rushing to the affected areas to take stock of the situation.

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said his party’s government would request the Centre for financial assistance to provide adequate relief to the families affected.

Three people were killed and more than 100 rescued after heavy rain triggered flash floods at different places in Ramban district early on Sunday, officials said. In another incident, two women died in the Arnas area of the Reasi district after being struck by lightning.

Sinha said in his message, “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 the district administration, State Disaster Response Force and rescue teams were on the job to ensure swift relief.

“All possible assistance is being extended to the affected families,” Sinha said.

In a post shared by the Chief Minister’s Office on X, Abdullah said he was extremely anguished by the tragic landslides and flash floods in Ramban that caused considerable damage to life and property.

“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. Later today, I will be reviewing restoration, relief, and repair plans,” he said.

“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,” the chief minister added.

Abdullah’s deputy Choudhary said he was rushing to Ramban to take stock of the situation.

“We are standing with the affected population in this hour of grief. The chief minister was supposed to visit the affected areas himself but since he had reached Delhi very late due to a flight diversion, I am going there and reviewing the situation,” he told reporters on the side lines of a function organised by the National Conference.

Farooq Abdullah, who was also present at the function, said there was huge damage reported in the Ramban and Banihal areas.

“The government is rushing its ministers to the affected areas and we will also request the Centre for financial assistance so that adequate relief is given to the people hit by the disaster,” he said.