Highway blocked at 5 places, will be cleared once weather improves, says SSP Traffic NH
JAMMU, Apr 20: Three people have died in the cloudburst, while loss of property for some families due to hailstorm and flash floods, and the Jammu-Srinagar national highway is shut after a landslide triggered due to heavy rains in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials here on Sunday said that the National Highway was blocked for vehicular traffic at Panthyal, Seri, and other areas of Ramban district, following heavy rainfall that triggered landslides, flash floods at several places in Ramban District.
“Moreover, three persons are killed as a cloud burst wreaks havoc in the remote Dharamkund area of the district,” they said.
“Because of constant landslides amid heavy rains, a complete rescue operation cannot be launched by the Quick Response Teams (QRT) and Police,” they said.
“Entire districts have been affected due to the flash flood, and there are also reports of damage to private and public properties, and vehicles have been struck in the blocked roads in the town due to the flash flood,” said an official.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, who is a Member of Parliament from Kathua-Udhampur, posted on X, “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 3 casualties and loss of property for a couple of families. I am in constant touch with Deputy Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary,” Dr Singh posted.
In a post, he said that the district administration deserves appreciation for timely and prompt action, which helped save several precious lives.
“Every kind of relief, both financial and otherwise, is being provided. The DC has been informed that, if need be, whatever more is required can be provided from the MP’s personal resources as well. The request is not to panic. We shall all, together, overcome this natural calamity,” Dr Singh posted.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has expressed grief over the loss of lives in Ramban. “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,” he said, adding that the district administration, SDRF, rescue teams are on the job to ensure swift rescue and relief, and that all possible assistance is being extended to the affected families.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in a post on ‘X’ said that he is extremely anguished by the tragic landslide and flash flood in Ramban. “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,” he said, adding, “Later today, I will be reviewing restoration, relief, and repair plans. 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.”
SSP Traffic National Highway (Ramban), Raja Adil Hamid Ganaie, that some light motor vehicles were damaged after these were hit by landslides, but all the stranded passengers have escaped unharmed. He said that the highway is blocked at five locations including Panthyal, Seri and Kishtwari Pathar due to landslides and shooting stones and once the rains stop, the restoration work will be taken by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO)’s BEACON project. (Agencies)
