Jammu, Aug 30, KNT: At least eleven people lost their lives and one person remains missing after a series of natural calamities struck Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, officials said. A deadly landslide in Reasi district and a cloudburst in Ramban district caused widespread devastation, leaving families shattered and authorities scrambling for rescue operations.
In Reasi district’s Bhadder village of Mahore tehsil, tragedy unfolded early in the morning when a massive landslide buried a residential house. Seven members of a family were trapped beneath the debris. Rescue teams comprising police personnel and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) rushed to the spot and, after several hours of strenuous efforts, managed to recover all seven bodies. The incident has left the remote village in mourning as locals gathered in solidarity with the bereaved family.
Meanwhile, Ramban district’s Rajgarh area was hit by a sudden cloudburst that unleashed flash floods, sweeping away structures and lives in its path. Four people were confirmed dead while one person remains untraced. Rescue teams, supported by locals, have launched extensive search and rescue operations to locate the missing individual, though continuous rain and treacherous terrain are hampering efforts.
Officials confirmed that in addition to the human toll, both incidents have caused significant damage to property, disrupted road connectivity, and unsettled normal life in the affected regions. Many areas remain vulnerable to further landslides and flash floods due to persistent rainfall.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also voiced deep anguish, saying that such recurring natural disasters demand urgent preparedness and stronger mitigation measures. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed profound grief over the twin tragedies and conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims. He assured that all necessary assistance would be provided to the affected.
Local residents have urged the administration to expedite relief measures and ensure the safety of vulnerable areas where several houses remain at risk due to unstable slopes.
As search and rescue teams continue their operation, authorities have appealed to the public in hilly and flood-prone regions to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel. [KNT]
