Heavy rains and hailstorm in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir caused a string of landslides and flash floods that resulted in three fatalities and the displacement of hundreds. The calamity occurred at dawn, wrecking houses, businesses, and vehicles, and the local inhabitants left helpless, asking for the assistance of the government.
Whole Market Swept Away, People Helpless
Many Ramban residents complained of losing their business as the landslides engulfed their village. Om Singh, whose store was one of many that were lost, narrated his disbelief to ANI, stating, “I reside on the other side, but even there, the water flow was very powerful… When I arrived here, I discovered the entire market, including my shop, had disappeared. This is the first time that I am witnessing something like this.”
#WATCH | Ramban, J&K: Om Singh, a local, says, "I live on the other side, but even there, the flow of water was very strong, we could not make it here in time. When I reached here, I saw the whole market, including my shop, had vanished… This is the first time I am seeing… https://t.co/aPfmXKXGjZ pic.twitter.com/VjIFqY4ySd
— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2025
Shopkeeper Ravi Kumar also reflected the same sorrow. “I had two shops in the market. When we came to know at 4 am that the entire market was swept away, we came here to see there was nothing remaining,” he said.
Kumar cried out in desperation at having lost his sole source of sustenance and appealed for help from the authorities. “We did not know whom to seek for assistance… These stores were our sole means of survival. Now we have no stores and no land. I appeal to the government to come and assist us. It was a very frightening sight, beyond imagination. We want the loans to be forgiven, we have nothing left.”
100 Rescued as Police Deploy Emergency Response
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramban, Kulbir Singh, verified that all police stations in the area were put on high alert and approximately 100 individuals were rescued from Dharam Kund village. The rescue efforts commenced a short while after news of widespread destruction began filtering in.
Cars Smashed, Hotel Affected: Eyewitness Reports
Sunil Kumar, who was a tourist who had stopped in Ramban because of rain, explained how the landslide destroyed a hotel and smashed cars. “At 3 am, this accident occurred. When I came out, I noticed two floors of the hotel were within the rubble. There were about 15 people there on the top floor. We rescued everyone. My brand new car is totally wrecked by the landslide. About 8-10 cars are trapped under the rubble,” he informed ANI.
Government, Army Step In With Relief Efforts
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, on X, informed that officials are in touch with local authorities to facilitate instant rescue and relief work. Union Minister and local MP Jitendra Singh also reported that National Highway 44 is still blocked by the damage but added that the Deputy Commissioner is providing relief to the affected people.
Local authorities confirmed that almost 40 houses had been damaged in Dharam Kund, of which ten had been completely destroyed and the rest partially damaged. More than 100 villagers who were trapped by the debris were rescued safely.
Army Offers Food and Relief
Indian Army troops have come to the rescue of relief operations. Food, medicines, and other necessities are being provided among affected families as the process of recovery and restoration continues.
