J&K: Three people were killed, over 100 people were rescued, causing damage in Ramba as heavy rain

Jamu and Kashmir fought against traces of destruction left by the weird weather in the past 24 hours on Sunday (April 20, 2025), with five civilians worried about death and hundreds of stranded civilians were rescued. Dozens of vehicles were swung into the deep canyon or buried under an unprecedented landslide that struck the J&K Ramban district.

“Lightning strikes the Jamedi village of Arnas in Reasi [on Sunday]. It killed two locals. Gugir leader Talib Hussian said about 40 cattle were killed in lightning.

In another case, three people, including two children, died after a collapse of their house in Bagna, officials said. The J&K government has not yet made any death tolls or injuries caused by J&K’s cloud explosions and landslides.

Part of J&K has witnessed weird weather over the past 48 hours marked by lightning, gusts, hail and snowfall. Apple orchards (apple orchards) in northern and southern North Kashmir bear the brunt of hail. Meanwhile, Cloudburst and the overflow of mountain floods triggered a landslide on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway in Ramban, causing five places to be blocked.

Landslide damaged houses, shops and freeway debris. Dozens of vehicles were also damaged and remained under debris on Ramba’s highway. Dozens of commuters were also trapped on the highway connecting the Kashmir Valley with the Jamma Division.

“More than 100 people have been rescued in the Ramban area,” said Ramban Kulbir Singh, senior police chief.

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he felt extremely distressed by the tragic mountainous land and mountain flooding in Ramban, “which has done considerable damage to life and property”.

“We will be in touch with the local government to ensure immediate rescue work where needed. Later today, I will review the recovery, relief and repair plans. At present, the focus remains on managing the situation on the site. Citizens are advised to follow travel advice and avoid non-essential campaigns in vulnerable areas.”

Union Minister and BJP MP from Udhampur, Jitendra Singh said in a post on “X”: “In the Ramban area, there is a heavy hail, multiple landslides and rapid wind throughout the night, including the area around the town of Ramba. National highway seating. Unfortunately, unfortunately there are three casualties and one lost property.

The MP said he was in “continuous contact” with Deputy Commissioner Basser-ul-Haq Chaudhary. The regional government appreciated the response to timely and swift action, which helped save several precious lives. Each relief, economic and other means are being provided. He said.

Flashflood hits Kashmir

They said the village’s rescue operations continued when the final report was received.

With the latest deaths, five people died in the rain-related incidents in the Chamu area within two days. Two people, including one woman, were killed and the other was injured when she was struck by lightning in the Arnas area of ​​Reasi district late Saturday (April 19).

About 40 homes were damaged after the flash floods hit Dharam Kund Village. Officials said. Ten houses were completely damaged and the rest were damaged.

They said that despite the continuous downpour and cloud explosions, more than 100 trapped villagers were rescued by police officers, they said, adding that several vehicles were flooded and flooded.

On April 19, 2025, dark clouds flashed over Lake Dal in Srinagar. |Photo source: PTI

A government official said the entire area suffered huge damage due to heavy rain, cloud explosions, high-speed winds, landslides and hail.

“We are monitoring the situation and will be assessed later to provide assistance to the affected population. At the moment, our priority is to maintain life.”

Vehicle movement is restricted

A traffic department spokesman said that due to landslides, mudslides and multiple locations between Nashri and Bennihar, vehicle movement on the Jamu-Srinagar National Highway was stopped on both sides.

On April 20, 2025, a vehicle was trapped in debris after rainwater triggered a landslide in the Ramban district of J&K. Image source: PTI

He said it continued rain along the highway and commuters were advised not to drive on arterial roads before weather improves and clears the road.

Hundreds of commuters were trapped on the 250km highway, the only all-weather road connecting Kashmir to the rest of the country, officials said.

Officials said a road near Panthiyal was also swept away, adding that all stranded people were safely safe.

They said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah convened a meeting later that day to assess the situation.

Visitors enjoy the Mughal garden during rainfall in Srinagar on April 19, 2025. |Photo source: Imran Nissar

Union Minister Jitendra Singh thanked the regional administration led by Deputy Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary for taking swift action to save precious lives.

“All night, in the Ramban area, including those around Ramban Town,” he said in an article on X. “The national highway seats were blocked and unfortunately, property damage and property damage to several families.”

He added: “I have been in touch with the Deputy Commissioner. The regional government appreciates the timely and prompt action taken, which has helped save several precious lives.”

Udhampur MP said various reliefs are being provided – whether financial or other relief.

Visitors outside the Mughal Garden during rainfall in Srinagar. Kashmir has experienced a diverse weather condition as some areas in Kashmir’s high rivers received fresh snow while the rain lashed out at other parts. |Photo source: Imran Nissar

“The Deputy Commissioner has been conveyed that, if needed, can also provide anything needed from the personal resources of the MP. The request is not a panic. Together we will overcome this natural disaster.”

Heavy rain in Doda

On Sunday (April 20, 2025), heavy rains slammed several parts of Bhalessa and Kashmir in the Duodah area of ​​Chamu, and the fog engulfed the mountains and surrounding villages of the area. Over the past few days, multiple areas of alliance territory, including Jamu and Udampur, have been facing heavy rain, destroying property and blocking national highways.

National Highway 44 was blocked in the South Bahn region of Udempur due to heavy rain the night before. On April 17, due to strong winds and rains, many trees were uprooted, resulting in the destruction of property, power outages and roads being blocked.

Visitors enjoy it in the Mughal garden during the rainfall in Srinagar. |Photo source: Imran Nissar

The former Sarpanch of Sateni Panchayat of Udhampur, Parshottam Gupta, former Parshottam Gupta confirmed the serious damage in his area. “I checked my panchayat and several trees were uprooted. Traffic and electricity in the area were affected… 4-5 years later, such strong winds affected the area… We will be able to assess the loss tomorrow morning.”

In Chömu, part of the border wall of the Civil Secretariat collapsed due to strong winds and was fenced with barbed wire.

Several parked vehicles were damaged by debris. The JCB machine was deployed to remove rubble and restore access to the area.

“The impact of active Western interference”

A boatman stood next to shikaras during rainfall in Srinagar on April 19, 2025, with rain clouds covering Dal Lake. Image source: Imran Nissar

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued severe weather conditions in Jamu and Kashmir between April 18 and 20, citing the influence of proactive Western harassment. Forecasts include heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail and storms, prompting authorities to take precautions to protect lives and livestock.

In Rajouri, a severe storm accompanied by thunder, causing damage to the Kalakote partition on April 19. The worst affected areas include the tehsil kalakote and mogla neighborhoods, where strong winds tear apart. Some homes with tin-sheet roofs cannot withstand the intensity of the storm.

Almost 100 houses were reportedly destroyed and some school buildings suffered roof damage, according to ADC Kalakote, Tanveer Ahmed. Caused important infrastructure damage. The uprooting of trees and damage to wires and cables completely destroys the power cord. The storm also damaged the roof of the Skme school building in Caracott.

(with agent input)