Flash floods leave trail of destruction in Ramban, loss worth crores

Highway shut for 2nd consecutive day; Hundreds of HMVs stranded; 45 houses fully damaged; Div Com Jammu says it will take time to restore traffic

Ramban, Apr 21 (KNO): Flashfloods triggered by a cloudburst in Ramban have left a trail of destruction behind and have brought life to a grinding halt.

Three people lost their lives in Baghana village after their house collapsed. Several shops and vehicles were also swept away. Many people were left stranded along the national highway, while all the institutions in Ramban remained closed on Monday.

The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remains closed as the debris from landslides and continuous shooting stones in Ramban could not be cleared, officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), adding that it may take up to three days to restore traffic movement on the highway.

“We are working hard to clear the highway. If all goes well, we may allow one-way traffic within two to three days,” officials said, adding that no passenger vehicles are currently stranded on the highway.

To speed up restoration work, NDRF, SDRF and local volunteers have been deployed for rescue operations. Heavy machinery, including JCBs and earthmovers from agencies like KRCL, CPPL, and DMR is working round-the-clock to remove debris and repair the damaged road.

The Indian Army, CRPF, and the civil administration have launched a joint operation to assist stranded people, deliver essential services and support ongoing repair efforts.

Over a dozen vehicles have been damaged, some buried under the debris. The rescue operations are continuing across the district.

Dozens of bridegrooms were seen walking on foot along the Jammu-Srinagar Highway due to the road closure. One groom walked 10 km to reach his bride after a landslide hit Ramban and adjoining areas. He was heading to Srinagar from Sangaldan Railway Station.

“I didn’t expect to travel on foot today, now I’m reaching by train. But it is reality,” he said.

Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, said that while the rain has stopped, assessment of road conditions in Ramban is ongoing.

“We are examining areas where cracks have developed and evaluating the overall stability of the road. A detailed assessment is essential before commenting on its condition,” he said.

He said that the district administration including the DC, SSP and teams from NHAI, SDRF, NDRF and other agencies, are actively engaged in restoration efforts.

“The weather has improved, assessments have begun, and restoration is in progress. The affected people have been identified and relocated to safer locations,” he said.

Relief requirements are also being assessed, and all damaged areas are under review to ensure proper support. “The DC and SSP teams are working round-the-clock with full support from the UT government,” Kumar said.

Regarding the reopening of the highway, he said, “It’s too early to give a timeline. Once the full extent of the damage is assessed and road stability confirmed, we can estimate when traffic will resume. Our teams are working to reopen it as soon as possible.”

He said that the damage is extensive, with sections of the road having sunk, retaining walls collapsed, and heavy mud accumulation. These challenges will take time to overcome.

However, alternative routes have been arranged. Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) heading to Kashmir are being diverted via Mughal Road, while Sinthan Top is open for LMVs from 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

Authorities are also considering allowing double-axle Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) on Mughal Road. “All teams are working together to ensure timely relief and maximum public support,” he said.

Meanwhile, the authorities said that all the government and private educational institutions including schools, colleges and technical educational institutions in Ramban district will remain closed on Tuesday in view of the inclement weather.

Deputy Commissioner Ramban, in a post on X said: “In view of inclement weather and heavy rain causing flash floods, all Govt and Private Schools, Colleges & Technical Education Institutions of district Ramban shall remain closed on 22.04.2025. Stay indoors, stay safe!”.

Pertinently, the officials had stated that 45 houses have got damaged completely and 250 have been impacted due to the inclement weather conditions—(KNO)

No major weather disruption expected in J&K till April end: MeT

Srinagar, Apr 21: After three days of widespread rains, the weather across Jammu and Kashmir is expected to remain largely stable over the next ten days, with the Meteorological (MeT) Department ruling out any major weather activity till the end of April.

In the last 24 hours, widespread light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder, lightning, and gusty winds swept across Jammu and Kashmir. The gusty winds reached a maximum speed of 31 knots in some areas. Several places also witnessed hailstorms.

According to the forecast issued by the MeT office, light rain and thundershowers are likely to occur in parts of the Valley and isolated pockets of the Jammu division on Monday afternoon. The brief spell may also be accompanied by gusty winds.

Weather is expected to remain dry on April 22 and 23 across the region. However, another spell of thundershowers, accompanied by gusty winds and the possibility of hailstorm, is predicted in the afternoons of April 24 and 25 at scattered places.

“The weather is expected to remain dry again from April 26 to 30. Overall, no major weather activity is anticipated till the end of this month except light rain or thundershower during 21, 24 & 25 April afternoon,” the MeT Department said.

Meanwhile, the minimum night temperatures during the intervening night of Sunday and Monday across Jammu and Kashmir remained above normal, with many parts of the Kashmir division recording temperatures 0 to 3°C higher than usual. In the Jammu division, night temperatures were 0 to 2°C above the seasonal average.

The ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir remained the coldest spot in the Union Territory, recording a low of 0.6°C, while Banihal registered the lowest minimum in the Jammu region at 7.6°C.–(UNI)

Tulip Garden Srinagar to Close for Public from April 24 Evening: Director Floriculture Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 21 (JKNS): The Tulip Garden in Srinagar, which was thrown open to the public on March 26 as part of the Tulip Show-2025, will be closed for visitors from the evening of April 24.

Shakeel Ul Rehman Rather (IAS), Director, Floriculture, Kashmir, in a official notice issued here, a copy of which was accessed by news agency JKNS reads, “As recommended by the Tulip Committee, the Tulip Garden Srinagar (Tulip Show-2025) which was opened to visitors on 26th of March, 2025 shall be closed for general public w.e.f:- 24.04.2025 (Evening).”

The Tulip Garden attracts thousands of tourists and locals each spring, offering a vibrant display of blooming tulips at the foothills of the Zabarwan mountains. (JKNS)