Dy CM visits Ramban to assess damage, leaders demand Central aid for victims

Leaders across political parties have urged the central government and UT administration to provide relief to the families affected by the heavy rains and landslides in Ramban district of Jammu division. National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah on Sunday said that lives were lost due to landslides and flash floods in the district.

He said, “A huge loss has occurred in Ramban. There are reports of three deaths. Many vehicles are buried under the and a lot of damage has been caused. A bridge near a tunnel is damaged and there is significant loss in Banihal as well. The Deputy Chief Minister has left for Ramban. Our ministers are also reaching out from Kashmir,” Abdullah told reporters.

Abdullah also urged the Centre to assist in managing the situation and compensate the affected families.

Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti, in a post on X, said, “The devastating landslides triggered by relentless rains along the Ramban section of the Jammu-Srinagar Highway have claimed lives, buried vehicles and stranded many”.

She urged the administration to prioritise the immediate evacuation of vulnerable groups, including the elderly, women, and children, while providing essential services such as food, water and medical aid.

“Swiftly clear debris, restore connectivity and implement long-term measures like early warning systems and infrastructure upgrades to prevent such tragedies” she added.

On Sunday afternoon, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said that he would visit Ramban to personally oversee the situation. “We will go by road because the weather conditions are not favourable for a chopper. We will go there and assess the situation” he said.

After reaching Ramban in the evening, Choudhary told mediapersons that he had come to assess the situation in the district after CM Omar Abdullah asked him to visit the area.

“I wanted to go further to Banihal but the road is blocked and no one is allowed to proceed further. There is no need to panic as the authorities are taking care of the situation" Choudhary said. He further stated that he would evaluate the conditions on ground and inform the CM upon reaching Jammu CM Omar Abdullah also expressed anguish over the landslide and flash floods in Ramban on social media platform X.

Meanwhile, the government has announced that all private and government institutions will remain closed on Monday.

J & K