'We pulled out 2 brothers, but they were dead': How cloudbursts changed lives overnight in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban

RAMBAN/JAMMU: Heavy rainfall caused by cloudbursts led to flash floods and landslides in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district early Sunday, resulting in the deaths of five people and widespread damage to houses, shops, and roads. More than 100 people were rescued in the aftermath.
Several villages were cut off from the district headquarters as the floods washed away key road links.
"I have never seen such a weather condition in my entire life. I was woken up by the deafening sound of the cloudburst at around 4.30 am and within no time heard cries for help," said Mohammad Hafiz, a resident of the village.
"We managed to pull out the two brothers after a portion of their house collapsed due to the flash floods but both of them were dead," Hafiz said.
Landslides and mudslides deposited rocks and debris across numerous locations. The initial assistance to affected villagers came from hundreds of community volunteers who swiftly mobilised to provide aid in the impacted settlements.
"It was around 5.30 am when the local stream started overflowing after many deafening sounds of cloudbursts," said Asgar Ali, one of the villagers who lost his house as he praised police's prompt action.
Following the recent casualties, the death toll from rain-related incidents in the Jammu region has reached five over a two-day period. A lightning strike in the Arnas area of Reasi district on Saturday night claimed two lives, including a woman, whilst another woman sustained injuries.
The flash flood in Dharam Kund village caused damage to approximately 40 residential houses, with ten houses experiencing complete destruction and others sustaining partial damage, according to officials.
Police personnel, braving the persistent rainfall, successfully rescued more than 100 villagers who were stranded in the affected area.
The administration has provided temporary accommodation to the affected villagers at the government middle school, ensuring they receive essential supplies including ration.
Officials reported that the flooding, caused by an overflowing stream, resulted in multiple vehicles being carried away by the water.
A high-ranking government administrator reported extensive destruction across the district caused by severe rainfall, cloudbursts, strong winds, landslides and hailstorms.
"We are monitoring the situation and an assessment will be carried out later to provide assistance to the affected population. Our priority at the moment is to safeguard lives," said the senior official, who did not wish to be named.
Jammu and Kashmir's lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha and chief minister Omar Abdullah conveyed their condolences regarding the casualties and confirmed that comprehensive support was being provided to the impacted families.
"The administration is implementing government directives with utmost urgency to intensify rescue operations and ensure the safety and welfare of the affected people," Ramban deputy commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary said.
He announced that all government and private schools, colleges, and technical institutions in the district will remain closed on April 21 due to inclement weather.

"In light of the continuing severe weather conditions and forecasts, it has been decided that classwork in all schools of the valley shall remain suspended for one day on April 21," education minister Sakina Ittoo said in a post on X.
"This decision has been taken as a precautionary step to ensure the safety and well-being of all students," she added.
National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah highlighted the extensive destruction that occurred in the Ramban and Banihal regions.
"The government is rushing its ministers to the affected areas and we will also request the Centre for financial assistance so that adequate relief is given to the people hit by the disaster," he said.