SRINAGAR — At least 11 people, including five children, have lost their lives in Jammu and Kashmir following a series of devastating cloudbursts and landslides triggered by incessant rainfall over the past 24 hours. The incidents occurred in Ramban and Reasi districts, where multiple homes were damaged and rescue operations are ongoing.
Ramban: Four Dead, One Missing After Cloudburst
In Rajgarh tehsil of Ramban district, a cloudburst early this morning unleashed heavy floods and triggered landslides across the region. Officials confirmed that four people have died, and one person remains missing. Several homes in the area were either damaged or completely destroyed.
Rescue teams, including personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and local authorities, have launched a search and rescue operation to locate the missing and assist those affected.
Reasi: Family of Seven Buried Alive in Landslide
In a separate but equally tragic incident, a landslide in Badar village, Mahore area of Reasi district, flattened a residential house, killing all seven members of a family who were inside at the time. The victims included 38-year-old Nazir Ahmed, his wife Wazira Begum, and their five children.
Locals and officials say the heavy overnight rainfall caused the hillside to give way, engulfing the family’s home in debris. Rescue operations are ongoing, with officials confirming that no survivors have been found so far.
Government Response and CM’s Statement
Expressing grief over the twin tragedies, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has directed the administration to remain on high alert. He instructed authorities to monitor vulnerable zones round-the-clock and ensure timely evacuation of people from high-risk areas.
“The district administration and disaster management teams must remain on the ground, ensure continuous monitoring, and provide immediate relief to affected families,” the Chief Minister’s Office said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
Abdullah urged residents to strictly follow weather advisories and avoid venturing into landslide-prone regions during this period of intense rainfall.
Recent Pattern of Cloudburst Disasters in J&K
This tragedy follows a series of recent natural disasters in the region:
- August 14: A cloudburst in Kishtwar’s Chesoti village led to landslides and flash floods, killing 68 people. 32 remain missing.
- August 26: A massive landslide triggered by a cloudburst struck the route to Vaishno Devi shrine, killing 34 pilgrims and injuring 23.
These back-to-back incidents have raised concerns about increasing extreme weather events in Jammu and Kashmir, prompting calls for stronger disaster preparedness and climate-resilient infrastructure.
