Climb flooding in Jamu and Ramban in Kashmir: Volunteers ignore fear of contact with victims

On April 21, 2025, in Ramba District, Chamu and Kashmir, vehicles were trapped in dirt and mountain floods after landslides. |Photo source: PTI

Hundreds of rural volunteers were the first victims to come into contact with mountain floods and landslides amid fears of thunderstorms and cloud explosions, which struck several villages in the Ramba region of Jamu and Kashmir on Sunday (April 20, 25), killing two underage brothers and an elderly man.

Dozens of houses near Panthiyal and a series of jam-Srinagar national highways were damaged, while many villages were inaccessible, cut off from the regional headquarters.

Deputy Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary is closely monitoring ongoing operations in the affected areas where educational institutions will be closed on Monday (21 April 2025).

“I have never seen such a weather condition in my life. Mohammad Hafiz, a resident of Seri Bagna Village, pti.

The village of Seri Bagna was attacked by mountain floods that claimed the lives of three people – Aqib Ahmad (12), his brother Mohd Saqib (10) and their neighbor Muni Ram (65).

“As a result of the mountain flooding, part of their house collapsed, and they managed to evacuate the two brothers,” Hafez said.

Former Sapanchi Teerath Singh said all villagers were continuing their efforts and hoped to withdraw Muni Ram, who was alive and trapped under the debris. However, the elderly cannot be saved.

“It’s a frightening scene because dark clouds hover overhead along the heavy rain. We lost three precious lives and many of the houses were damaged,” he said.

At the scene at Dharam Kund Village, police immediately took action and rescued more than 100 villagers, including women and children. “About 5.30 a.m., the local stream passed by many deafening sounds,” said Asgar Ali, a villager who lost his house while praising the police for their swift action.

Ali’s neighbor and another victim of the flash flood, Ranjit Singh, said his family of three children escaped the narrowness and they were unable to retrieve a piece of stuff from the house. “Many cars were washed away too,” he said.

The villagers were granted shelter at government secondary schools and the government provided the necessary support, including rations.

Around the same time, the Sundari Mohalla and Bowhi Bazar areas were flooded with mountain flooding, pouring dirt into houses, shops and hotels. “Ramban was shocked by this disaster,” said Jugal Kishore Chib.

The Ministry of Weather predicts that Monday’s weather will improve two days after the plains shine on the plains. The Ramban Regional Government has launched extensive rescue and relief operations in the devastating rainfall and flash floods, affecting several areas of the region.

Deputy Commissioner Chaudhary conducted the review accompanied by police officer Kulbir Singh and other senior principal Ramban, and coordinated with a professional team involved in the relief efforts.

“In addition to volunteers from local NGOs, teams from police, SDRF, citizen volunteers, the Army and other stakeholder departments and agencies are actively engaged in rescue and recovery operations throughout the affected areas,” one official said.

“The government is implementing the most pressing government directives to strengthen rescue operations and ensure the safety and welfare of affected people,” said Chaudhary, Washington, D.C.

He appreciated the public’s support for consultations sent through social media and other communication channels, noting that people’s alertness plays a crucial role in minimizing loss of life during disasters.

Although property damage and damage to infrastructure have been reportedly confirmed from various areas in the region, he called on the public to avoid risky entry into areas that include Nallahs and landslide-prone areas and stay in safer places.

The Deputy Commissioner also urged the public to rely solely on authentic sources of information to avoid spreading or believing rumors.

The Deputy Commissioner said that in view of the weather and heavy rains causing flash floods, all government and private schools, universities and technical education institutions should be closed on April 21.