Ramban/Jammu: Heavy rainfall due to cloudbursts triggered flash floods and landslides in several areas of Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district early Sunday, leaving three people dead and damaging scores of houses and roads, while more than 100 people were rescued.
Traffic on the strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was suspended as the road was blocked at nearly a dozen places between Nashri and Banihal due to landslides and mudslides, officials said.
Hundreds of commuters were left stranded on the 250-kilometre highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country.
The landslides that blocked the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), left hundreds stranded on the 250-kilometre stretch, the only all-weather road that links Kashmir with the rest of India.
The three people killed in Ramban on Sunday have been identified as brothers Aqib Ahmad and Saqib Ahmad, and Muneer Ahmad. They died when a house collapsed at Seri Champa village on the outskirts of Ramban town.
Rescue teams in Ramban shifted nearly 500 people from low-lying areas to safer places, officials said.
The landslides buried a large number of vehicles along the national highway, as well as in Ramban town and its outskirts. Many people were left stranded along the national highway.
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.
“Extremely anguished by the tragic landslide and flash flood in Ramban, which have 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,” Abdullah said in a post on X.
Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinhar said, “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.”
Ramban Deputy Commissioner Baseer ul Haq said that high-velocity winds and a thunderstorm were followed by heavy rain and a hailstorm at around 1.10 am, causing landslides and flooding at many places.
The district administration, which had already established an emergency control room and sounded an alert in view of adverse weather forecasts by the Met department, made announcements from temples and mosques alerting people about the situation and asking them to contact designated officers in case of any emergency.
