Three dead, 350 rescued as cloudbursts and torrential rains unleash havoc in Ramban district

Ramban, 20-04-2025: The Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed widespread devastation following a series of cloudbursts and incessant heavy rainfall that began late last night. At least three lives, including two minors, were tragically lost, and over 350 people were rescued as torrential rain triggered flash floods, massive landslides, and mudslides across the region. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), the crucial lifeline that connects the Kashmir Valley to the rest of the country, was rendered impassable due to multiple landslides between Nashri and Banihal, stranding more than 3,000 vehicles at various points along the route.

Among the most affected areas were Ramban town and the adjoining Seri Bagna village, where at least three to four cloudbursts struck between 1 and 3 am. The calamity resulted in the complete or partial destruction of dozens of homes, shops, and public establishments. In the most heart-wrenching incident, two young brothers, aged 12 and 14, were buried alive when their house collapsed in Seri Bagna. In a neighboring house, a 75-year-old man met a similar fate. Miraculously, other family members managed to escape in time. Scores of vehicles, including private cars and two-wheelers, were either washed away or buried under debris, with many believed to be beyond recovery.

Three parked vehicles plunged into a gorge in the Maroog area after the road caved in, though the drivers escaped unhurt. In Ramban town near Hotel Usman, at least a dozen vehicles were buried beneath layers of mud and rocks. Many government offices, commercial establishments, and residential structures in Maitra and adjoining areas suffered substantial damage. Authorities swiftly launched rescue operations with combined efforts from the police, SDRF, and Army units. District Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary and SSP Ramban Kulbir Singh personally monitored the operations, ensuring timely evacuation from vulnerable zones. Over 350 individuals were rescued, including nearly 100 from Dharam Kund village, where flash floods left a dozen houses fully damaged and several more partially affected.

The stretch from Dalwas to Maroog emerged as the epicenter of destruction, where massive debris flows disrupted communication and access. Rescue teams faced significant challenges due to ongoing rainfall, poor visibility, and unstable terrain, yet they continued tirelessly to reach stranded civilians. Army personnel distributed food, water, and medical aid to commuters stuck along the highway, demonstrating exemplary commitment to civilian welfare. With several vehicles still missing under landslide debris, it remains unclear whether all occupants managed to escape. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of panic as people abandoned their vehicles and ran uphill to avoid being swept away.

This natural calamity brings the total number of weather-related deaths in the Jammu region to five over the past two days. A woman and a man were killed in a lightning strike in Reasi district late Saturday, while another woman sustained injuries. In Gool, Gulabgarh, Mahore, and parts of Poonch and Rajouri, reports of heavy rain and hailstorms have poured in, though no major casualties or property damage were reported from those regions. Several link roads remain blocked, isolating remote communities.

The relentless downpour not only crippled road connectivity but also disrupted daily life. Schools and colleges have been closed in Ramban, Doda, and Poonch districts as a precautionary measure. Helicopter services to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra were suspended due to poor visibility, although battery cars continued operating.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh praised the local administration’s rapid response, acknowledging the District Commissioner and Army units for their coordination and effectiveness. He confirmed that all possible financial and logistical aid was being arranged for the victims. Echoing similar sentiments, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed profound grief and assured that his office was in constant touch with the administration. He pledged to review ongoing rescue and restoration measures later in the day and urged the public to avoid unnecessary movement.

Meanwhile, vehicular traffic on the NH-44 remains completely suspended from both directions, with shooting stones and fresh landslides continuing to hamper restoration efforts. Traffic officials have warned commuters to avoid travel on this route for the next 48 hours. In a temporary relief measure, authorities have reopened the Mughal Road, and vehicles stranded in Kashmir are being diverted through this alternate route. As many as 300 vehicles were reportedly stuck along the Mughal Road, with efforts underway to clear them by tomorrow morning.

As rescue teams continue to battle time and terrain, the scale of destruction in Ramban underscores the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness, real-time weather forecasting, and robust infrastructure planning in vulnerable regions. The recurring nature of such disasters raises critical questions about the resilience of our mountain communities and the institutional readiness to handle climate-induced emergencies. For now, the focus remains on saving lives, reaching the unreached, and beginning the long road to recovery.