Three people died and dozens of houses and roads were rescued earlier Sunday, with heavy rains caused by cloud explosions triggering mountain floods and landslides, killing three people and causing more than 100 people.
Officials said the road was blocked due to a boundary landslide and mudslide between Nashri and Banihal and traffic on the strategic Jamu-Srinagar national highway was suspended.
Hundreds of commuters are trapped on a 250km highway, the only all-weather road connecting Kashmir to the rest of the country.
A cloud hit the village of Seri Bagna, killing three people, including the Aqib Ahmad brothers and Mohd Saqib. Rescue operations in the village continued when the final report was received, officials said.
With the latest deaths, five people died in the rain-related incidents in the Chamu area within two days. Two people, including a woman, were killed late Saturday and another was injured in an attack in the Arnas area of Reasi.
About 40 homes were damaged after the flash floods hit Dharam Kund Village. Officials said. Ten houses were completely damaged and the rest were damaged.
They said that despite the continuous downpour, more than 100 trapped villagers were rescued by police.
“The situation is bad,” the official said.
A senior government official said the entire area caused great damage due to heavy rain, cloud explosions, high-speed winds, landslides and hail.
“We are monitoring the situation and will be assessed later to provide assistance to the affected population. At the moment, our top priority is to maintain life,” the senior official said.
Jamu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the loss of their lives and said all possible aid was expanding to affected families.
Sinha said the regional administration, the national disaster response force and the rescue team are working to ensure rapid relief.
“The purpose of my visit is to the people who stand with them at this moment by the government led by Omar Abdullah,” said the Deputy Chief Minister in Ramba.
He said a detailed report would be sought from the Deputy Commissioner and would be compensated for the losses suffered by the people in each attempt.
A traffic department spokesman said that due to landslides, mudslides and multiple locations between Nashri and Bennihar, vehicle movement on the Jamu-Srinagar National Highway was stopped on both sides.
He said it continued rain along the highway and commuters were advised not to drive on arterial roads before weather improves and clears the road.
Officials said a road near Panthiyal was also swept away, adding that all stranded people were safely safe.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh thanked the regional administration led by Deputy Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary for taking swift action to save precious lives.
“In the Lamba area, there were heavy hail, multiple landslides and rapid winds throughout the night, including the areas around the town of Ramba. The stand on the National Highway was blocked, and unfortunately there were three casualties and property damage to several families.”
He added: “I keep in touch with the Deputy Commissioner. The appreciation of the regional government responds to timely and timely action, which helps save several precious lives.”
Udhampur MP said various reliefs are being provided – financial and other relief.
“The Deputy Commissioner has been conveyed that, if needed, can also provide anything needed from the personal resources of the MP. The request is not to panic. We will overcome this natural disaster together,” Singh said.
North Carolina leader Farooq Abdullah said there had been large-scale losses in the Langmen and Bennihar areas, according to reports.
“The government is driving its ministers to the affected areas and we will also ask the centre for financial assistance to provide adequate relief to those hit by the disaster,” he said.
