Cloudburst and Landslide in Reasi-Ramban Kill 11, One Still Missing

Cloudburst and Landslide in Reasi-Ramban Kill 11, One Still Missing

JAMMU, Aug 30: Tragedy struck Jammu and Kashmir as heavy rains triggered landslides and cloudbursts in remote areas of Reasi and Ramban districts, claiming at least 11 lives, including seven members of a single family, while one person remains missing. Meanwhile, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, briefly reopened today to allow stranded vehicles to pass, was blocked again due to fresh slides.

The relentless downpour has plunged much of the Jammu region into a severe water crisis, leaving many localities without electricity. Road connectivity, particularly in Reasi, Udhampur, and Kathua districts, remains critically affected. Entire Mahore Sub Division has been without power for the past four days.

In Reasi, a landslide demolished a house in Badder village of Gulabgarh area in Mahore Sub Division around midnight, burying seven family members under debris. The victims—identified as Nazir Ahmad (38), his wife Wazira Begum (35), and their children Bilal (13), Mustafa (11), Adil (8), Mubarak (6), and Wasim (5)—were asleep when the slope gave way. Neighbors alerted authorities, but heavy rainfall and fear of additional slides delayed rescue operations until daylight, when villagers managed to recover the bodies.

Simultaneously, Ramban district witnessed a devastating cloudburst in Drubla village of Rajgarh area, around 30 km from the district headquarters, at approximately 12:30 a.m. The flash floods destroyed two homes and a government school. Five people lost their lives, including brothers Ashwani Sharma (27) and Dwarka Nath (59), niece Virta Devi (29), and guest Om Raj (42). Sharma’s sister-in-law, Vidya Devi (50), remains missing. Rescue teams, including local volunteers and SDRF personnel, continue searching for her. Several livestock also perished in the flood.

Authorities evacuated 20 families from Karalana village as a precaution. The Deputy Commissioner of Ramban, Mohd Alyas Khan, praised the quick response of local volunteers in mitigating further loss of life.

National leaders, including Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, expressed condolences and assured assistance to the affected families. LG Sinha, in a social media post, vowed full support to residents impacted by the rains and landslides. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah urged residents to stay alert, avoid vulnerable areas, and follow safety advisories while instructing departments to remain on high alert.

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Meteorological data reports Bhaderwah in Doda district recording 51.6 mm of rainfall, followed by Katra at 42 mm, Kathua 32 mm, and Batote-Ramban 16.8 mm. Forecasters predict continued moderate to heavy rainfall across Jammu and surrounding districts, cautioning against potential flash floods and landslides.

Jammu city faces acute water shortages, with multiple localities, including Dhouthali, Pacci Dakki, Udheywalla, New Plot, Janipur, and Ploura, lacking water supply. Restrictions on private water tankers and limited government resources have exacerbated the crisis. Several areas, such as Udheywalla near the Rama Krishna Mission, remain without electricity.

The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, closed for four days following landslides and a 60-meter road collapse in Udhampur district, was reopened briefly today to move stranded vehicles carrying essentials. However, the highway became impassable again near Samroli due to sinking and fresh landslides. DIG Traffic Dr. Haseeb Mughal reported that over 3,000 vehicles remain stranded in Jammu, with additional vehicles delayed in Punjab. Restoration work is ongoing on a war footing.

Alternative routes, including the Mughal Road connecting Poonch-Rajouri to Shopian and Sinthan Top Road linking Kishtwar to Anantnag, have been cleared, and limited vehicular movement has resumed. Minor mudslides near Parna-Chingam were also cleared.

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Meanwhile, heavy rainfall triggered another landslide at Khuni Nallah in Ramban district, blocking the Bichalri Nallah and raising flood concerns for downstream villages such as Karalana. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, urging residents to remain cautious.