JAMMU, Apr 20: Three people including two minors were killed and more than 350 rescued while about 200 vehicles were trapped/ missing after heavy rain and cloudbursts triggered flash floods at different places in Ramban district early today, while Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was blocked at many places due to massive landslides between Nashri and Banihal.Over 3000 vehicles have been stranded at various places, along Jammu-Srinagar National Highway as the heavy rain has triggered landslides and mudslides at more than dozen places between Nashri and Banihal along the strategic National Highway. Due to at least 3-4 cloudbursts between 1 am and 3 am last night adjoining Ramban town and Seri Bagna area, scores of houses, shops and other establishments have been damaged while at least 200 vehicles were trapped and gone missing under debris.
Three parked vehicles rolled down into the gorge as road caved in in Maroog area during the day today. The vehicle operators however, escaped to the safer place. Near Hotel Usman at Ramban town at least 10-12 cars have been buried under the debris scattered all over the area after massive cloudburst. Scores of houses, shops and hotels etc have been damaged in the town. Many houses and shops besides Govt offices suffered damage in Maitra area of Ramban town. The cars, bikes and many other vehicles were washed away in the flood caused by cloudbursts.Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Baseer-Ul-Haq Choudhary said a cloudburst struck the Seri Bagna village of Ramban last mid night, resulting in the death of three persons, including two minor brothers Aqib Ahmad (14) and Mohd Saqib (12 yrs), son of Mohd Hanief. The other family members ran away and saved their lives. In the adjoining house, 75-year-old Mani Ram was also buried alive. More than a dozen houses are said to have been damaged fully or partially in the area.
The DC said that immediately after receiving information, the police and SDRF teams were rushed to the affected areas for the rescue operations. SSP Kulbir Singh and other officers were also put on the alert. During overnight and the morning operations, more than 350 people were rescued. He said area from Dalwas in Nashri up to Maroog in Ramban, was the hot spot of the natural calamity. The Army also came out for the rescue of the people at some places. He said that bodies of all the three dead persons were removed from the debris while many vehicles at different places are still either trapped or missing. There is no clue about the people on board these vehicles. However, it is believed that most of the people ran for the safety leaving behind their vehicles as the tragedy struck.
With the latest fatalities, five people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents in the Jammu region in two days. Two people, including a woman, were killed and another woman injured when they were struck by lightning in the Arnas area of Reasi district late Saturday evening.
The officials said about scores of residential houses were damaged after a flash flood hit Dharam Kund village. About a dozen houses were fully damaged while the rest suffered partial damage. From this village about 100 people were rescued.
More than 350 trapped people were rescued by police, SDRF and local volunteers from the affected spots despite the continuous downpour and cloudbursts, they said, and added several light vehicles were swept away in the flood caused by overflowing streams.
A senior police official said that there had been massive damage in the entire district due to heavy rain, cloudbursts, high-velocity winds, landslides and hailstorms.
“We are monitoring the situation and an assessment will be carried out later to provide assistance to the affected population. Our priority at the moment is to safeguard lives,” senior official said.
A Traffic Police spokesperson said vehicular movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was suspended from both sides due to landslides, mudslides and shooting stones at multiple places between Nashri and Banihal.
He said the rain was continuing along the highway even this evening and commuters were advised not to travel on the arterial road till the weather improves and the road is cleared. He said there is no hope of the opening of the road by next two days.
He disclosed that Mughal Road has been reopened and the stranded traffic from Kashmir side is being diverted via Mughal Road. At least 300 vehicles were also stranded on Mughal Road at Surankote, Bufliaz and Chandimarh area of Poonch besides about 500 on Shopian and Heerpora side of Kashmir. These vehicles will be cleared tomorrow morning, he added.
The official said hundreds of commuters were left stranded on the highway. A stretch of the road near Panthiyal and Maroog was was swept away, Many stranded people were moved to safety.
Union Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh appreciated the district administration headed by Deputy Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary for prompt action in saving precious lives.
“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 unfortunately there have been three casualties and loss of property for a couple of families,” he said in a post on X.
“I am in constant touch with the Deputy Commissioner. The District Administration and Army deserve appreciation for timely and prompt action, which helped save several precious lives,” he added.
The Udhampur-Doda MP said every kind of relief — both financial and otherwise — was being provided.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed grief over the loss of three lives due to flash floods triggered by incessant rain in Ramban district.
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.
Meanwhile, District Administrations, Ramban, Doda and Poonch have closed schools and colleges as precautionary measures on Monday, in view of the weather conditions.
A senior Government official said there had been massive damage in the entire district due to heavy rain, cloudbursts, high-velocity winds, landslides and hailstorms.
In a display of swift response and commitment to the welfare of civilians, the Indian Army extended humanitarian assistance to stranded passengers on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) near Ramban. Following heavy rainfall and landslides that led to road blockages, hundreds of commuters, including women, children and the elderly, were left stranded without food, shelter or medical aid.
Recognizing the urgency, Army units deployed in the region immediately moved relief operation and provided essential supplies such as food packets, drinking water and medical aid. Troops also assisting in clearing minor roadblocks and coordinating with civil administration to facilitate early restoration of traffic.
Reports of massive rain and hailstorm have also been received from Gool, Gulabgarh, Mahore and parts of Poonch and Rajouri. Several link roads were blocked but no loss of life or property was reported.
Chopper service to Mata Katra Vaishnodevi remained suspended during the day today due to bad weather but battery car operated normally.
