Three killed as cloudburst triggers flash floods and landslides in Jammu & Kashmir’s Ramban district, blocking multiple points along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, and disrupting power and water supply, officials said.
The three people killed in Ramban on Sunday have been identified as brothers Aqib Ahmad, Saqib Ahmad, and Muneer Ahmad, who died when a house collapsed in Seri Champa village on the outskirts of Ramban town.
A 10-km segment of the road has suffered multiple cave-ins, with the stretch at Kela Mor completely washed away. Several vehicles were swept away by raging torrents, halting traffic and leaving commuters stranded.
The highway remains blocked, with road clearance and restoration operations currently underway to resume connectivity.
Ramban SSP (National Highway Traffic) Raja Adil Hamid Ganaie told reporters that the highway was blocked at five locations, including Panthyal, Seri and Kishtwari Pathar, due to landslides and shooting stones. Other roads were blocked as well
Ten houses were fully damaged and 25–30 partially affected, while around 90–100 people were safely rescued by Dharamkund police.
In view of the inclement weather and heavy rain leading to flash floods, all government and private schools, colleges, and technical education institutions in Ramban district will remain closed.
Deputy Commissioner Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary & SSP Kulbir Singh are personally monitoring rescue and restoration operations in devastated areas of Ramban.
Teams from the Police, SDRF, Civil QRTs, Army, and other stakeholder departments and agencies, along with volunteers from local NGOs, are actively engaged in rescue and restoration operations across the affected areas.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary visited the area, expressed grief over the loss of lives, assured full government support to the affected families, and directed officials to ensure swift restoration of National Highway connectivity.
The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said he was “extremely anguished by the tragic landslide and flash flood in Ramban, which have caused considerable damage to life and property,” adding that his thoughts are with the affected families and that the administration is ensuring immediate rescue efforts.
He further said, “Later today, I will be reviewing restoration, relief, and repair plans, but for now, the focus remains on managing the situation on the ground,” while advising citizens to follow travel advisories and avoid non-essential movement in vulnerable areas.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh, whose Udhampur-Kathua Lok Sabha constituency includes Ramban, took to X praising the district administration and the Indian Army, “In the aftermath of the torrential hailstorm yesterday, while the district administration team led by energetic DC Mr Baseer Haq has been commendable on the job since last night, it is time also to acknowledge and thank the Indian Army for their timely assistance, which played a crucial role in providing relief to the local population.”
“I feel gratified to inform you that the Army has set up medical aid camps, distributed essential medicines and ensured access to food and clean drinking water. They have also made special arrangements for tea and basic meals for the affected population. Needless to say, the Indian Army was at the service of the nation , not only during the war-time but equally as much during the peace-time crisis,” he said.
Several parts of Jammu and Kashmir have been battered by torrential rain, high-velocity winds, lightning, and hail since Saturday evening, causing damage to scores of houses, commercial establishments, and vehicles.
On Saturday, two nomads, Mohammad Rashid, (52), and Shahbaz Begum, (32 ) along with their flock of around 40 sheep, were killed in a lightning strike in Reasi district’s Arnas area.
