The Ramban district in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a tragic incident as incessant rainfall triggered flash floods, resulting in the loss of three lives. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah conveyed their deep sorrow over this unfortunate event. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary promptly headed to the affected areas to assess the situation firsthand.
Expressing his anguish, Lieutenant Governor Sinha extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, emphasizing that the district administration, State Disaster Response Force, and rescue teams were actively engaged in providing swift relief and all possible assistance to those affected.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in a statement shared on X, expressed his profound sadness over the landslides and flash floods in Ramban, which caused significant damage to both life and property. He assured that the local administration was actively involved in immediate rescue efforts and announced plans to review restoration, relief, and repair strategies later in the day. He also advised citizens to adhere to travel advisories and avoid unnecessary travel in vulnerable areas, prioritizing the immediate management of the situation on the ground.
Deputy Chief Minister Choudhary, before departing for Ramban, reiterated the government’s solidarity with the affected population during this difficult time. He explained that while the Chief Minister intended to visit the area, his late arrival in Delhi due to a flight diversion necessitated Choudhary’s visit to review the situation personally.
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, present at the same function, acknowledged the extensive damage reported in the Ramban and Banihal regions. He stated that the government was dispatching ministers to the affected areas and affirmed the party’s intention to request financial aid from the Central government to ensure adequate relief for the disaster-stricken individuals.
According to officials, a cloudburst in Seri Bagna village of Ramban tragically claimed the lives of three individuals, including two brothers, Aqib Ahmad and Mohd Saqib. In the Dharam Kund village, approximately 40 residential houses suffered damage due to a flash flood, with ten houses completely destroyed and the remainder partially damaged. Swift action by police personnel led to the rescue of over 100 trapped villagers amidst the continuous downpour and cloudbursts. Furthermore, several vehicles were reported to have been swept away by the overflowing stream. A senior government official confirmed the widespread damage across the entire district resulting from the heavy rain, cloudbursts, high-velocity winds, landslides, and hailstorms.
