Ramban/Jammu, April 20 - Heavy rain and cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district have created flood-like conditions in the early hours of today. During this, three people died while more than 100 people have been rescued. Officials said that due to incessant rain, traffic has been stopped due to landslides and landslides at about a dozen places between Nashri and Banihal on the strategically important Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called a meeting to review the situation.
Officials said that three people, including two brothers named Aqib Ahmed and Mohammad Saqib, died due to cloudburst in Seri Bagna village of Ramban. Relief and rescue operations were underway till the last reports were received. With these fresh deaths, five people have died in rain-related incidents in Jammu region in two days. Two people, including a woman, were killed and another woman was injured after lightning struck Arnas area of ??Reasi district late on Saturday night.
Officials said that around 40 residential houses were damaged due to flash floods in Dharam Kund village. Ten houses were completely damaged while the rest suffered partial damage. They said that despite incessant rain and cloudburst, police personnel who reached the spot rescued over 100 stranded villagers. Several vehicles were swept away due to the flood in the drain. A senior official said that heavy rain, cloudburst, strong winds, landslides and hailstorm have caused extensive damage in the entire district.
A senior official said on condition of anonymity, “We are monitoring the situation and a review will be conducted to provide assistance to the affected population. Our priority at present is to save lives.’’
On the other hand, a traffic department spokesperson said that due to landslides and landslides at several places between Nasri and Banihal, vehicular movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has been stopped from both sides. He said that rain continues on the highway and commuters have been advised not to travel on the main road until the weather improves and the road is clear.
Officials said that a part of the road near Panthial was also washed away and all the stranded people have been taken to safe places. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called a meeting to review the situation. Meanwhile, Union Minister Jitendra Singh has appreciated the efforts made by the district administration led by Deputy Commissioner Bashir-ul-Haq Chaudhary to save precious lives.