Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday expressed condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in cloudbursts and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in Ramban and Reasi districts.
The LG said he had spoken to officials to review the situation and assured that all possible assistance is being extended to the affected families.
In a post on X, the Office of the Lt. Governor wrote: “Anguished by the cloudburst & rain-triggered landslides in Reasi & Ramban. Condolences to the bereaved families. Spoke to senior officials and took stock of the situation. Rescue and relief operations are underway. All possible assistance is being provided to the affected.”
Officials said at least four people were killed and one remains missing after a cloudburst struck the Rajgarh area of Ramban district. A search and rescue operation has been launched to provide relief.
Ramban SSP Arun Gupta confirmed the recovery of four bodies and said efforts are on to trace the missing person. “The sudden cloudburst triggered flash floods in Natna area, damaging a house and a school, and disrupting normal life,” he said. Relief measures are being supervised by the Deputy Commissioner, SSP, and ASP on the ground.
Meanwhile, Ramban district continues to witness heavy rainfall and flash floods.
In Reasi’s Mahore tehsil, tragedy struck Karada village late Friday night, where a cloudburst killed seven members of a family. JKNC MLA Khurshied Ahmed identified the victims as Nazeer Ahmed, his wife Wazeera Begum, and their five children.
The Reasi District Administration said rescue operations are underway in Mahore and Badr areas.
Traffic movement has also been severely affected. Sub-Inspector (SO Traffic) Maqbool Hussain said the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has been closed due to multiple landslides and falling rocks. “Passenger vehicles have been asked to move to bus stands for shelter and food. Trucks and small vehicles are halted until the weather improves or advisories are lifted,” he said, urging people to strictly follow official advisories.
The Meteorological Department has predicted isolated heavy rainfall over Jammu and Kashmir till September 2. The Regional Meteorological Centre has also issued an orange alert for Ramban, Rajouri, Jammu, Reasi, Udhampur, Poonch, Kathua and other districts, warning of very heavy rainfall in the coming days.
