Ramban/Jammu: Four people, including two brothers, were killed after a cloudburst hit a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district late Friday night, officials said. The disaster damaged two houses, a cowshed, and a school.
The cloudburst struck Rajgarh, about 25 km from Ramban town, around 11.30 pm, triggering flash floods. “Bodies of four victims were recovered from the debris after an extensive search by rescuers, including police, SDRF, and local volunteers,” Deputy Commissioner Ramban Mohammad Alyas Khan said.
A search is underway for one more missing person, identified as 55-year-old Bidya Devi. The deceased were identified as brothers Ashwani Sharma (24) and Dwarka Nath (55), Sharma’s niece Virta Devi (26), and their guest Om Raj (38) from Banshara.
“The cloudburst originated near the primary school and turned into a torrent that swept through Drubla-Gudgram village, destroying two homes and a school building,” said local resident Ajay Kumar, who praised the swift response of volunteers led by Bashir Ahmad Magray.
DC Khan and SSP Arun Gupta visited the site to oversee relief operations. “The administration is on high alert and extending all possible help to the affected families,” Khan said.
Union minister Jitendra Singh, J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, and former CM Omar Abdullah expressed grief and assured assistance to the victims’ families.
