Watch: Cloudburst and Flash Floods Wreak Havoc in Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir: 3 Dead, Highway Blocked, Rescue Operations Underway
Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir – April 20, 2025: A devastating cloudburst struck the Seri Bagna area of Ramban district in the early hours of Sunday, triggering flash floods and landslides that claimed at least three lives, damaged dozens of homes, and disrupted life across the region. The relentless rainfall, coupled with gusty winds and hailstorms, has caused widespread destruction, submerging vehicles, collapsing structures, and blocking the strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44).
According to officials, the cloudburst hit Seri Bagna village, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including two brothers, Aqib Ahmad (14) and Saqib Ahmad (12), sons of Mohammad Haneef, and one other person. Over 40 residential houses were damaged in Dharam Kund village, with 10 completely destroyed. The flash floods swept away vehicles and caused mudslides at nearly a dozen locations between Nashri and Banihal, forcing the suspension of traffic on NH-44. “We only had minutes to run,” said Ghulam Nabi, a local resident whose home was washed away.
The Indian Army, in coordination with the civil administration, has deployed troops to assist stranded passengers along NH-44, providing humanitarian relief, including food, water, and medical aid. Police and emergency teams have rescued over 100 villagers trapped by floodwaters, braving continuous rainfall and volatile weather conditions. “Despite ongoing cloudbursts, our teams managed to evacuate people to safety,” said SSP Ramban, Kulbir Singh.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, stating, “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.” Abdullah assured that the government is working closely with the local administration to expedite rescue operations and will review restoration, relief, and repair plans later today. He urged citizens to adhere to travel advisories and avoid non-essential movement in vulnerable areas. Meanwhile Indian Army was providing logistic assistance besides food to the stranded people.
Former Ramban MLA Neelam Kumar Langeh highlighted the scale of destruction, noting, “People’s properties and vehicles have been greatly affected by this cloudburst. This whole market has been washed away.” He called on the J&K government to release a special relief package for the victims to aid recovery efforts.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh praised the district administration, led by Deputy Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary, for their prompt response. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted continued rainfall over the next 48 hours, raising concerns about further flooding and landslides. The IMD had earlier warned of thunderstorms, lightning, and potential mudslides across Jammu and Kashmir until Monday, April 21, 2025.
Eyewitness accounts and social media videos depict chaotic scenes of homes collapsing, residents being pulled to safety, and stranded vehicles along the battered highway. The disaster has underscored the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, with experts pointing to climate change as a possible factor in the increasing frequency of such incidents.
Authorities have issued advisories urging residents to stay alert and avoid low-lying areas, road underpasses, and drainage ditches prone to flash flooding. For emergencies, the 24×7 District Control Room can be reached at 01998-295500 or 01998-266790.
As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on providing immediate relief to affected families and restoring connectivity along NH-44. The government has promised swift action to assess damages and support the rebuilding process in Ramban.
