In what has become one of the most severe weather-related disasters in Jammu and Kashmir this year, incessant rains, cloudbursts, and landslides have wreaked havoc across Ramban district, leaving three dead, dozens homeless, and large portions of the vital Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in shambles.
The calamity unfolded early Sunday morning when a sudden cloudburst struck the upper regions of Bhaga village, unleashing a catastrophic flash flood. The torrent of water and debris demolished several homes, claiming the lives of two young brothers—Aaqib Ahmed (14) and Saqib Ahmed (12)—who were buried under the rubble of their collapsed house. In a neighboring home, another resident, Mohammad Munir, was killed in a similar manner. All three fatalities were reported from the same village.
Rescue operations are underway amid challenging weather and dangerous terrain, as emergency teams scramble to reach affected areas. Dharamkund, near the iconic Chenab Bridge, also bore the brunt of nature’s fury. In the nearby village of Seri Bagna, a wall of water surged down a local stream, destroying over ten houses and damaging many more. Timely action by police and disaster response teams saved more than 90 residents.
“It felt like the mountain came alive,” a survivor from Seri Bagna said, describing the suddenness of the disaster.
The cloudburst sparked a domino effect across the district. Persistent rains over the last 24 hours have led to significant soil erosion and at least a dozen landslides, severely impacting the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway—especially the treacherous Banihal-Ramban stretch.
Twelve critical points along the highway have been hit by landslides, five of them severely. At Marog, floodwaters washed away an entire road segment, leaving several vehicles stranded on precarious edges. A temporary approach road between the Pantiyal twin tunnels—previously rebuilt after floods two years ago—has again been obliterated.
Dozens of vehicles, including 12 trucks and oil tankers, remain buried under mud and rock in various spots. While no casualties have been reported from these highway incidents, the road remains closed, and authorities have stated it will not reopen until extensive debris clearance is completed.
The Ramban-Gool road has also suffered damage, with parts of Daramkund village swept away. Swift action by local police and volunteers ensured no loss of life, though homes and livestock were lost.
In Bowli Nallah, the situation grew equally grim. A large mudslide devastated a busy market area, damaging several shops and inundating surrounding homes. Viral videos online capture the chaos—homes collapsing, animals swept away, and residents calling for help.
Union Minister and local MP Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and assured full support for the affected. “The conditions remain dangerous. The district administration is doing an excellent job under difficult circumstances,” he said, while praising Deputy Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary.
Emergency shelters have been set up, and relief material is being distributed to displaced families. A high-level team is conducting a comprehensive assessment of the damage to plan for long-term recovery.
