Relief efforts intensify in Ramban after devastation by landslides; highway remains shut

A large-scale rescue and restoration operation is underway in  Jammu & Kashmir's Ramban after heavy rains, cloudbursts, and landslides caused serious damage and blocked the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

Two minor siblings were among three people who lost their lives in cloudburst-triggered flash floods at Bagna in Ramban. The restoration of vehicular traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu highway may take another four to five days. Officials say full restoration could take up to two months.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Ramban MLA Arjun Singh visited the affected areas on Monday to assess the situation. 

Walking several kilometres up to Kela Morh, where flash floods were triggered by a cloudburst, CM promised help to affected families but said the incident was 'a localised one and not a national one'.

“The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is our top priority,” he said.

Heavy machinery, including JCBs, excavators and loaders have been deployed to clear debris and find vehicles buried under landslides, especially in the 10-kilometre stretch between Karol and Maroog. 

To keep Kashmir connected with the rest of the country, traffic is being diverted through the Mughal Road, which links Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri in Jammu, and via Sinthan Top, which connects Kashmir to Kishtwar in Doda. Even though the Mughal Road has been opened for light vehicles, movement is slow due to narrow lanes and fresh landslides. The power supply is still cut off in Ramban and nearby villages. Many smaller roads are also blocked.

Teams from the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and police are on the ground, providing food, shelter, and medical help. Many stranded passengers are being looked after in community halls by the local administration.

Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, who visited the affected areas, said efforts are ongoing to restore essential services and improve road connectivity.

Political leaders, including the BJP, have urged the Centre to declare the situation a national disaster. BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma said they will request the Centre to declare the crisis a national disaster.

India