Heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir led to flash floods and landslides, resulting in three deaths and widespread damage. Traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was suspended as a result.
Intense overnight rainfall triggered devastating flash floods and landslides across Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district early Sunday, leading to the deaths of three persons and widespread damage to infrastructure, officials confirmed. The calamity, worsened by hailstorms and high-velocity winds, resulted in the suspension of traffic on the strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and left hundreds of commuters stranded.
"In light of the continuing severe weather conditions and forecasts, it has been decided that classwork in all schools of the valley shall remain suspended for one day tomorrow (21st April). This decision has been taken as a precautionary step to ensure the safety and well-being of all students," J&K Minister of School and Higher Education, Sakina Itoo, posted on X.
According to news agency PTI, a cloudburst struck Seri Bagna village, killing three individuals, including brothers Aqib Ahmad and Mohd Saqib. Rescue operations were still ongoing at the time of the last update. With these fatalities, the region has reported five rain-related deaths in the last two days. On Saturday, two persons, including a woman, died after being struck by lightning in Reasi district’s Arnas area.
In Dharamkund village near the Chenab River, a flash flood caused by the overflowing of a nearby stream damaged about 40 residential houses, officials said, as per PTI. More than 100 people were rescued from the village, despite continuous downpours, by police personnel, they said.
#WATCH | J&K | District administration issues alert in Reasi as water levels rise in River Chenab
— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2025
Control room officer Ashiq Hussain says, "A lot of rainfall has been taking place in the mountain regions and the nearby villages are adjacent to the river. We have asked the people… pic.twitter.com/rBwyrLWv11
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramban, Kulbir Singh, confirmed that three people, including two children, died after a house collapsed in Bagna village due to heavy rain. The deceased were identified as Mohd Aqib (14), Mohd Sakib (9), and Mohan Singh (75), all residents of Bagna Panchayat. “More than 100 people have been rescued so far and shifted to safer locations, Singh said, as per India Today.
#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir: Several buildings and vehicles are damaged due to a landslide following heavy rains and hailstorm in Ramban district.
— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2025
(Visuals from the Banihal sector) pic.twitter.com/CgwPI0RxOH
Videos from affected areas showed mud-filled waters flooding homes, collapsed structures, and vehicles buried under debris.
#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir: Several buildings have been damaged due to a landslide following heavy rains and hailstorm in Ramban district pic.twitter.com/jx3MGycq4s
— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2025
Women and children were seen being escorted to safety as water levels continued to rise. Several shops, two hotels, and multiple residential buildings also suffered damage across the district.
#WATCH | Ramban, J&K | NDRF team undertakes road clearance work after the landslides in Ramban as a result of flash floods. pic.twitter.com/06aEY4CicD
— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2025
Jammu-Srinagar National Highway Blocked Amid Landslides
Vehicular movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained suspended from both ends due to landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones at nearly a dozen spots between Nashri and Banihal, PTI reported officials as informing.
VIDEO | Jammu and Kashmir: Flash floods in Ramban district has shut down NH-44, causing major traffic disruption in Udhampur.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 20, 2025
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Udhampur, Jatinder Singh says, "NH-44 is currently closed due to landslides and flash floods, which has… pic.twitter.com/3IinO8G4ME
SSP Traffic National Highway (Ramban), Raja Adil Hamid Ganaie, said clearance work would begin once weather conditions improved. A stretch of the road near Panthiyal was reportedly swept away, though all stranded commuters were safely evacuated, India Today reported.
J-K CM Omar Abdullah Urges People To Follow Travel Advisories, Deputy CM Visits Affected Areas
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and said, “We are closely monitoring the situation, and I will be reviewing restoration and rehabilitation measures later today.” He urged citizens to adhere to travel advisories and avoid movement in vulnerable areas.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said all possible assistance was being extended to the affected families, adding, “The district administration, State Disaster Response Force and rescue teams were on the job to ensure swift relief.”
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, who visited the affected areas with NC MLAs Arjun Singh Raju (Ramban) and Sajad Shaheen (Banihal), stated, “The situation is bad… on my return I will submit my report to the Chief Minister.” He added that a detailed report would be sought from the deputy commissioner and efforts would be made to compensate affected families.
#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary reached the spot in Ramban, where several buildings and vehicles were damaged by a landslide following heavy rains and hailstorms in the district.
— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2025
According to Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary, Deputy Commissioner,… pic.twitter.com/B2GM85Qd4H
Union Minister and Udhampur MP Jitendra Singh also acknowledged the severity of the disaster. In a post on X, he said, “There was a heavy hailstorm, multiple landslides and fast winds throughout the night in the Ramban region… The National Highway stands blocked and unfortunately, there have been three casualties and loss of property for a couple of families.” He appreciated the prompt response of the district administration led by Deputy Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary and added, “If need be, whatever more is required can be provided from my personal resources as well. The request is not to panic — we shall all, together, overcome this natural calamity.”
He also lauded the Army's role in assisting the local population and wrote, “In the aftermath of the torrential hailstorm yesterday, while the district administration team led by energetic DC Mr Baseer Haq has been commendably on the job since last night, it is time also to acknowledge and thank the Indian Army for their timely assistance, which played a crucial role in providing relief to the local population. I feel gratified to inform that the Army has set up medical aid camps, distributed essential medicines and ensured access to food and clean drinking water. They have also made special arrangements for tea and basic meals for the affected population.”
Update #Ramban #JammuAndKashmir:
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) April 20, 2025
In the aftermath of the torrential hailstorm yesterday, while the district administration team led by energetic DC Mr Baseer Haq has been commendably on the job since last night, it is time also to acknowledge and thank the Indian Army for their… pic.twitter.com/TgPwxoWNZc
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of Ramban announced on social media, “In view of inclement weather and heavy rain causing flash floods, all Government and Private Schools, Colleges and Technical Education Institutions of district Ramban shall remain closed on 21.04.2025. Stay indoors, stay safe!”
NC leader Farooq Abdullah said extensive damage had been reported in Ramban and Banihal. “The government is rushing its ministers to the affected areas and we will also request the Centre for financial assistance so that adequate relief is given to the people hit by the disaster,” he said.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as rescue efforts persist and restoration work is expected to begin once conditions allow.
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