Ramban / Banihal, Apr 20: Two minor siblings were among three persons who lost their lives as cloudburst-induced flash-floods struck Bagna village of Ramban district during the intervening night of April 19 and 20.
Heavy rains coupled with hail and thunderstorms triggered multiple land and mudslides at over a dozen places, particularly between Nashri and Banihal stretch along the Srinagar Jammu National Highway, blocking the strategic road and cutting Kashmir from the rest of the country.
Spell of cloud-burst inducing flash floods in certain areas; heavy rains, hail storm triggering slides in other stretches began at around 2 am and lasted till 7 am or so, leaving behind a trail of destruction all across the affected areas, including Ramban town, Seri and other areas along the National Highway.
Crops and orchards also suffered extensive damage in the district.
As far as the National Highway was concerned, the stretch near Panthial was badly damaged.
As per eye-witnesses’ accounts, three vehicles rolled down after a portion of the road caved in while around one dozen load carriers were stuck in land and mudslides near Maroog, one of the worst affected areas.
They claimed that a few trucks, carrying livestock, were buried under debris near Maroog. SDRF and NDRF were engaged in relief and rescue operations yet the inclement weather condition was hampering their efforts.
Three major slides struck within the 100-meter radius affecting Seri; Kela Morh; Mehar Cafeteria, Maroog stretches and Shan Palace in Ramban town as big boulders and muck slides hit the structures.
Bowli Bazar in Ramban town too was badly affected by flash floods in the adjoining nullah, which damaged around a dozen structures, including shops. Several vehicles also got buried under the muck debris.
Power supply across the district was also badly affected and a major portion of the district was reeling under darkness till late evening. Mobile connectivity was another casualty as only a few networks were functioning and that too in certain areas.
“In Bagna village, Muhammad Aquib Ahmed, 14 and Muhammad Saqib Ahmed, 12, both sons of Muhammad Hanief, were killed when their house collapsed in the flash flood triggered by cloud-burst during the intervening night of April 19 and 20. Their bodies were retrieved by the villagers,” SPO Basheer Ahmed, who was leading the Quick Response Team (QRT) to Bagna for the rescue operation, said.
75-year-old Mani Ram also died when his house caved in flash floods in Bagna village.
In a swift rescue operation, the district administration rescued more than 100 people from Dharam Kund in Gool and shifted them to safer places. Reports suggested that several houses in Dharamkund suffered damages in the heavy rains.
“During the last 24 hours in Banihal sub-division, hailstorm and rain caused extensive damage to property and road infrastructure. In Ramsoo of Banihal sub-division, there was no loss of life. However, the horticulturists have suffered widespread damage to their crops. National Highway-44 witnessed multiple landslides,” SDRF officials told media persons.
“Seri, Cafeteria Morh, and Kela Morh were the worst affected stretches along the NH. At Panthial, we have been stationed since morning, closely monitoring the situation,” they added.
Later in the afternoon, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary rushed to Ramban to assess the situation. He visited Shan Palace and Bowli Mohalla.
He stated that both National Conference MLAs Sajjad Shaheen Arjun Singh Raju spoke to the Chief Minister, who directed him to visit the affected areas in Ramban and take stock of the situation.
Late Sunday evening, given persisting inclement weather and heavy rain causing flash floods, Deputy Commissioner Ramban announced the closure of all educational institutions in the district on April 21.
“Given inclement weather and heavy rain causing flash floods, all Government and Private schools, colleges and Technical Education institutions of district Ramban shall remain closed on April 21, 2025. Stay indoors, stay safe,” DC Ramban Baseer-ul Haq Chaudhary posted on ‘X’.
The Deputy Commissioner was personally monitoring the ongoing operations in the affected areas. Accompanied by SSP Ramban Kulbir Singh and other senior officers, the Deputy Commissioner reviewed the ground situation and coordinated with the specialized teams engaged in relief efforts. Teams from the Police, SDRF, Civil QRTs, ARMY and other stakeholder departments and agencies, besides volunteers from the local NGOs, are actively engaged in rescue and restoration operations across the affected areas.
Expressing deep sorrow and grief over the tragic loss of three lives, including two children and an elderly person, the Deputy Commissioner conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He affirmed that the rescue of precious lives and restoration of essential services are the topmost priorities of the district administration.
He highlighted that the administration was implementing government directives with utmost urgency to intensify rescue operations and ensure the safety and welfare of the affected people. He appreciated the public response in adhering to advisories issued through social media and other communication channels, noting that people’s alertness played a vital role in minimizing the loss of lives during the calamity. While confirming that huge loss of property and damage to infrastructure has been reported from various parts of the district, he appealed to the public to avoid venturing into risky areas, including nallahs and landslide-prone zones, and to remain in safer locations.
The Deputy Commissioner also urged the public to rely only on authentic sources of information and refrain from spreading or believing in rumours.
In a display of swift response and commitment to the welfare of civilians, the Indian Army also 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.
Recognising the urgency, Army units deployed in the region immediately moved relief operations and provided essential supplies such as food packets, drinking water and medical aid. Army troops were also assisting in clearing minor roadblocks and coordinating with civil administration to facilitate early restoration of traffic.
J&K Traffic Police, however, has urged the commuters to refrain from travelling along the affected routes till the improvement in weather and clearance of Highway.
“Restoration work is underway but is being hampered by adverse weather conditions. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and will issue updates as and when the roads become motorable,” the traffic advisory read.
Meanwhile, officials said that NH-244, the key route, connecting Kishtwar to Kashmir, was open for traffic.
“All major roads in Kishtwar are operational, except the Padder route. Restoration work by authorities was completed by 11 am, ensuring smooth travel from Kishtwar to Chingam,” they said.
