Ramban, J&K: A sudden cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district left three people dead and several others missing on Saturday, triggering panic and widespread damage to homes and infrastructure. Authorities said at least five residents remain untraceable, while multiple houses were swept away in the deluge.
The district, located nearly 136 km from Srinagar, has been battered by incessant rainfall over the past several days. The downpour has crippled road connectivity across the Jammu division, with the vital Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) rendered impassable due to landslides and flooding.
Deputy Commissioner Ashok Kumar Sharma said clearance work on key routes was underway but cautioned that restoring traffic on NH-44 might not be until late Friday or Saturday morning. “We are working to remove blockages and ensure essential supplies move through Mughal Road, which is currently functional for restricted transport,” he noted.
The impact has not been confined to Ramban. Districts including Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Udhampur, and Kishtwar are on high alert following a weather advisory. The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms in some regions and an orange alert for heavier rainfall expected over the weekend.
In response to the worsening conditions, the Jammu administration has announced the closure of all government and private schools until August 30. Education authorities have advised institutions to consider shifting to online classes, particularly for senior students, where internet access is available.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, after reviewing the evolving situation, said the Union Territory had narrowly avoided a repeat of the catastrophic 2014 floods. “Another day or two of rainfall could have brought us back to a crisis similar to what we endured then. We need to re-examine our preparedness to ensure such vulnerability is not repeated,” he said.
With rescue operations underway and rivers still swollen, officials have urged residents in vulnerable zones to remain cautious, warning that continued rainfall could aggravate the situation in already fragile areas.
