Ramban, Jammu & Kashmir: In a grim reminder of the growing threat of climate-induced natural disasters, flash floods triggered by relentless overnight downpours devastated Dharamkund village near the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district on Saturday night. The deluge, accompanied by hailstorms, fierce winds, and multiple landslides, left at least three people dead, one missing, and dozens of families displaced, while reducing homes and shops to rubble and cutting off the region’s vital lifeline — the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
According to the Ramban district administration, the catastrophe struck after the water level in a local mountain stream (nallah) rose abruptly due to intense, continuous rainfall. The stream overflowed, transforming into a violent torrent of muddy water and debris, which crashed through homes in Dharamkund village, located perilously close to the Chenab bridge. Ten houses were completely washed away, while 25 to 30 others were severely damaged, their walls caved in and roofs torn apart.
Rescue efforts began immediately after the tragedy struck. Despite the treacherous weather conditions and slippery, unstable terrain, teams of local police, civil administration officials, and volunteers rushed to the site, evacuating around 90 to 100 residents, including women, children, and the elderly, from the submerged and crumbling houses.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramban, Kulbir Singh, confirmed that three people — two minors and one elderly man — tragically lost their lives when a house collapsed in Bagna village, also within the affected area. The victims were identified as Mohd Aqib (14 years old), Mohd Sakib (9 years old), and Mohan Singh (75 years old). Singh said that search operations were still ongoing, with teams scouring through debris in hopes of locating the one person still reported missing.
"We have safely rescued more than 100 people so far and moved them to safer locations, including local school buildings and community shelters. Relief materials like food, blankets, and medicine are being distributed,” SSP Singh stated.
The destruction extended beyond residential areas. Two hotels, several commercial shops, and multiple vehicles were damaged beyond repair. Landslides and shooting stones blocked the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway at five key locations, stranding hundreds of travelers. Videos shared from the ground show chaotic scenes: water surging through narrow streets, homes reduced to heaps of mud and wood, cars swept off roads, and desperate villagers carrying children through knee-deep water.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed profound sorrow and concern over the tragedy, stating:
“My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones and homes. The government is working round the clock in coordination with local authorities to rescue and provide relief. I will personally review rehabilitation efforts later today.”
He also appealed to citizens to stay indoors and follow government advisories:
“Please do not venture out unless absolutely necessary. The situation is still precarious, and we must prioritize safety above all.”
Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who has been monitoring the crisis closely, commended the quick response of the Ramban district administration:
“The entire region witnessed a brutal combination of hailstorms, heavy rainfall, and strong winds. The loss of lives is deeply unfortunate. I am in constant touch with Deputy Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary, and immediate financial and logistical assistance has been mobilized.”
Singh further added:
“If needed, I am prepared to extend help from my personal resources. Let us not panic. Together, we will overcome this challenge. Relief and rehabilitation will be our top priority in the coming days.”
SSP Traffic (National Highway), Raja Adil Hamid Ganaie, confirmed that the Jammu-Srinagar highway, which connects the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India, remains impassable at multiple points. He assured the public that clearance operations would begin as soon as weather conditions allow and it is safe for workers to proceed.
Meanwhile, emergency shelters have been established across Ramban, where dozens of affected families are being housed temporarily. Medical teams, counselors, and volunteers from nearby districts have been deployed to support the displaced. However, the challenges remain immense: damaged roads, communication blackouts, and continued rainfall are making relief operations more difficult with each passing hour.
Environmentalists and disaster management experts have raised concerns about the increasing frequency and intensity of such weather events in Jammu and Kashmir. Many have pointed to rapid construction, deforestation, and unregulated development in fragile hill regions as key contributing factors to the rise in disasters like flash floods and landslides.
Local residents, meanwhile, are left grieving, anxious, and uncertain. “We lost everything—our home, our memories, our livelihood. We don’t know where to go now,” said an elderly woman, holding her grandson tightly outside a relief camp.
As weather agencies forecast more rain over the next 48 hours, authorities have issued red alerts for several hilly regions, and emergency response teams have been kept on high alert.
