Residents in Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir, are evaluating the damage from landslides brought on by a strong hailstorm; many report losing houses and commercial property.
The landslide caused three people’s houses to fall, killing them.
“Even though I reside on the opposite side, the water flow was so intense that we were unable to arrive in time. The entire market, including my store, was disappeared by the time I got here. Om Singh, a resident of Ramban, told news agency ANI, “This is the first time I am seeing something like this.”
Behind Mr. Singh, a few houses that had been damaged by the landslides could be seen.
Ravi Kumar, a shopkeeper at Ramban, said he owned two shops, both of which vanished overnight.
“I had two shops at the market… When we got to know at 4 am that the whole market had been washed away, we rushed here to find there was nothing left,” Mr Kumar said.
“We didn’t know who to approach for help, what to do; we were clueless. These shops were our only source of livelihood. Now we have no shops and no land. I request the government to come and help us… It was a very scary sight, beyond imagination… We want our loans to be waived, we have nothing left,” he said.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramban Kulbir Singh said all police stations have been alerted, and some 100 people have been rescued from Dharam Kund.
Sunil Kumar, a local resident, is devastated to find his new car was damaged by the landslide.
“I was travelling from Jammu to Srinagar. Since it was raining, I booked a hotel in Ramban. At 3 am, this incident took place. When I came out, I saw that two floors of the hotel were inside the debris. Around 15 people were there on the top floor. We rescued all of them. My new car is completely damaged due to the landslide… Around 8-10 cars are stuck under the debris,” he told ANI.
In a post on X, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that officials are in communication with the local government to guarantee prompt rescue operations if necessary.
Union Minister and local MP Jitendra Singh has stated that the devastation in Ramban has resulted in the closure of National Highway 44. He said he is in contact with the deputy commissioner and that assistance is being given to those affected by the natural calamity.
A rapid flood struck Dharam Kund hamlet, causing damage to about 40 dwellings, according to local officials. Ten of the dwellings sustained complete destruction, while the others only sustained partial damage.
Authorities reported that the police had rescued around 100 stranded residents.
Those impacted by the Ramban flash floods are receiving food, medication, and assistance from Indian Army forces.
