RAMBAN, JAMMU AND KASHMIR – Chief Minister Omar Abdullah conducted an on-the-ground inspection of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) in Ramban district on April 21, 2025, where relentless flash floods and landslides have severed connectivity for three days. The catastrophe, unleashed by a cloudburst in Seri Bagna village on April 20, has left a trail of destruction, claiming lives and stranding hundreds, as Abdullah vowed to expedite relief and restoration to alleviate the region’s plight.
Arriving at Kela Morh near Ramban town after a road journey from Srinagar, Omar Abdullah, joined by Deputy Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary and key officials, navigated a two-kilometer stretch of the battered highway. The Seri-Marooq section, buried under 20 feet of sludge and debris, bore the brunt of the disaster. “This is a severe setback, but our teams are working non-stop to clear the highway and aid those affected,” Abdullah said, projecting two to three days for partial traffic restoration and up to six days for complete reopening.
The cloudburst and ensuing floods killed three individuals, including two children, and damaged over 45 homes and vehicles. Joint rescue efforts by the Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, and local police saved over 100 people, with survivors receiving food, medical care, and shelter. Abdullah promised robust relief, including funds from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, and ordered strict measures against hoarding of essentials like fuel, which sparked panic buying in the Kashmir Valley.
The National Highways Authority of India faces a daunting task, with debris clogging multiple highway points. The Army’s medical camps and food aid are sustaining stranded commuters, while the Mughal Road serves as a temporary supply route. With the MeT Department predicting light rain until April 25, time is critical to prevent further economic strain.
Omar Abdullah’s visit underscores a determined push to restore NH-44 and rebuild lives in Ramban. As relief operations intensify, his administration aims to turn the tide against this natural calamity, ensuring support for victims and resilience for Jammu and Kashmir’s future.
