A devastating cloudburst hit Seri Bagna village in the Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, April 20, claiming the lives of three individuals — including two brothers, Aqib Ahmad and Mohd Saqib, officials confirmed. Rescue operations are currently underway amid ongoing adverse weather conditions.
Rising Death Toll Across Jammu Region
With this incident, the total number of fatalities due to weather-related disasters in the Jammu region over the past two days has risen to five. On Saturday night, two people, including a woman, were killed and another woman injured after lightning struck in the Arnas area of Reasi district.
Widespread Destruction in Dharam Kund
In Dharam Kund village, flash floods triggered by relentless rain and multiple cloudbursts damaged around 40 houses, with 10 homes completely destroyed. Police teams managed to rescue over 100 residents despite dangerous and continuous rainfall. Several vehicles were also washed away by surging streams.
A district official said: “There is widespread damage due to cloudbursts, hailstorms, landslides, and continuous rain. We are currently prioritizing saving lives. Detailed damage assessment will be done later.”
Jammu-Srinagar Highway Closed
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) — the only all-weather route connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country — was closed due to landslides, mudslides, and falling rocks between Nashri and Banihal. A portion of the road near Panthiyal was also washed away, stranding hundreds of travelers. Officials confirmed that all stranded commuters have been moved to safety.
A Traffic Department spokesperson has advised people to avoid travel on the route until weather conditions improve and the road is fully cleared.
Government Responds: Omar Abdullah, Jitendra Singh Step In
Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah has reportedly called a high-level review meeting to assess the situation and coordinate relief efforts.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh praised the efforts of the Ramban district administration, particularly Deputy Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary, for their swift response:
“There were landslides and strong winds in Ramban. The administration acted quickly and saved lives,” Singh posted on X.
He assured ongoing relief efforts, promising additional support if needed, including resources from his personal fund. “We request people not to panic. We will get through this together,” he added.
