At least three people have been killed due to a cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban region. Sunday's cloudburst also triggered flash floods and landslides in the region, resulting in the relocation of thousands.
As per local authorities, heavy rain lashed over the region at 1:30 AM. As the rain continued, an alert was sounded by the Met Department, alerting people to move and relocate.
The Seri Bagna village in Ramban was hit by a cloudburst, The Hindu reported. Rescue operations are underway and at least 100 trapped villagers were rescued by police personnel, the officials said.
"We are closely monitoring the situation, and I will be reviewing restoration and rehabilitation measures later today," said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, expressing grief over loss of life and advising citizens to avoid travel.
Five people have died in rain-related incidents in the past two days, including a woman who was struck by lightning in the Arnas area of Reasi district late on Saturday.
Over 40 houses were damaged after a flash flood hit Dharam Kund village, with 10 completely damaged.
Highways Affected
“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,” Union Minister Jitendra Singh posted on X.
Traffic was suspended after multiple landslides, mudslides and incidents of shooting stones occurred around Nashri and Banihal along the strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, according to the media.
Deputy Commissioner Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary told news agency ANI that rescue operations are underway.
"Due to incessant rainfall and cloudburst, National Highway was closed at several places. In Ramban, houses and hotels have been damaged. Two houses collapsed due to a landslide in Bagahana village, where 3 people have lost their lives. Around 200-250 houses have been damaged...Rescue operation is being carried out. NDRF team is on the way and all local teams are also deployed here," he was quoted as saying.
Commuters are advised not to travel amidst the heavy rain, while people who were also stranded on the 250-kilometre highway were moved to safety, an unnamed official told The Hindu. A stretch of the road near Panthiyal was also swept away, he said.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued warnings of severe weather conditions in J&K between April 18 to April 20, citing the influence of an active western disturbance. The forecast estimated heavy rain, thunderstorms, hailstorms, and high-speed winds, initiating precautionary action by the authorities.
Locals Lost Livelihood
Ravi Kumar, a shopkeeper at Ramban, said he owned two shops, both of which vanished overnight.
"I had two shops at the market... When we got to know at 4 am that the whole market had been washed away, we rushed here to find there was nothing left," Kumar said to ANI.
"We didn't know who to approach for help, what to do; we were clueless. These shops were our only source of livelihood. Now we have no shops and no land. I request the government to come and help us... It was a very scary sight, beyond imagination... We want our loans to be waived, we have nothing left," he said.
