A devastating cloudburst in the Seri Bagna area of Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district claimed the lives of at least three people, officials confirmed on Sunday.
Three people, including two children, lost their lives after a massive landslide struck the Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, following incessant rainfall and a cloudburst that wreaked havoc in the region.
Deputy Commissioner Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary confirmed the fatalities and reported extensive damage, stating that around 200 to 250 houses were affected, particularly in Ramban town, which bore the brunt of the destruction. The landslide caused two houses to collapse in Bagahana village, resulting in the tragic loss of lives.
A large-scale rescue operation has been launched, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) en route to the affected area, while local teams have already been deployed to assist with relief efforts.
The situation further escalated as the landslides triggered by heavy rains led to the closure of several sections of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), severely disrupting transportation and damaging numerous homes and vehicles along the route.
Authorities have advised residents and commuters to avoid travel on the highway until the weather improves and debris-clearing operations are completed to ensure safe passage.
In response to the disaster, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chaudhary arrived in Ramban to assess the ground situation and coordinate with local officials.
Expressing concern, People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti urged the administration to act swiftly to evacuate vulnerable individuals, including the elderly, women, and children, while ensuring they receive adequate food, water, and medical support.
She emphasised the need for long-term preventive measures such as the implementation of early warning systems and the upgrading of critical infrastructure to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed grief over the incident, acknowledging the loss of life and property. Through a statement released by the Chief Minister’s Office on X, he conveyed his condolences to the affected families and assured them that the administration was actively engaged in rescue and relief efforts.
He stated that the government was closely monitoring the situation and would be reviewing restoration and repair plans later in the day. Emphasising public safety, he urged citizens to adhere strictly to travel advisories and refrain from unnecessary movement in areas at risk.
Also Read: All police stations alerted: SSP on Ramban landslide
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