2 killed in Ramban boulder mishap as Jammu-Srinagar national highway closes after landslides

Traffic on the strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained suspended on Wednesday following multiple landslides, while two passengers lost their lives and three others were injured after a massive boulder fell on a moving tempo in the Ramban district.

With the two latest fatalities, the death toll in rain-related incidents across Jammu province has risen to 25 over the past four days, while seven persons are still missing.

According to officials, the tempo, bearing registration number JK06B-9842, was on its way from Srinagar to Doda when the accident occurred. As the vehicle reached the Gangroo area, a large boulder suddenly rolled down from the hillside and struck the tempo, causing extensive damage.

Officials said two passengers died on the spot, while three others sustained injuries. All the victims are reportedly residents of Kastigarh in Doda district.

Soon after the incident, police, rescue teams and local authorities rushed to the spot and shifted the injured, along with the bodies of the deceased, to the Primary Health Centre (PHC), Ramsoo, for treatment and medico-legal formalities.

The damaged vehicle was later removed from the road, and efforts were launched to clear the debris and restore traffic on the highway.

Police have taken cognisance of the incident. The identities of the deceased and injured were yet to be officially disclosed. Further details are awaited.

Narrow escape for Deputy CM, MP

The cavalcades of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and Lok Sabha member from the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, Mian Altaf Ahmad, had narrow escapes after being caught in separate landslides on the Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch National Highway.

The Deputy Chief Minister and the MP were travelling to the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch when their vehicles encountered landslides at different locations.

A landslide struck the Chingus stretch of the Jammu-Rajouri Highway while Surinder Choudhary’s convoy was passing through the vulnerable stretch.

According to sources, the landslide occurred just ahead of the Deputy Chief Minister’s convoy. No vehicle in the convoy was hit, and no injuries were reported.

Member of Parliament Mian Altaf Ahmad also reportedly escaped unhurt after a landslide struck near his vehicle on the Jammu-Poonch Highway while he was visiting rain-affected areas, sources said.

The landslides also blocked the highway, prompting authorities to launch clearance operations.

Jammu-Srinagar National Highway closed

Vehicular movement on the 250-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was suspended from both sides at around 9.30 am after heavy rainfall triggered landslides, mudslides and shooting stones at nearly a dozen locations between Udhampur and Banihal.

“Commuters are advised not to undertake any journey on the highway until the weather improves and the road is declared safe for traffic,” an official said, adding that road clearance agencies had mobilised men and machinery to remove the debris.

According to the Meteorological Department, Kathua district recorded the highest rainfall at 153 mm, followed by Samba (133 mm), Udhampur (112.6 mm), Jammu (62.1 mm), Katra (58.5 mm), Poonch (51 mm) and Rajouri (40.5 mm) during the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Wednesday.

The weather department has forecast moderate to heavy rainfall until Thursday evening.

Almost all rivers and streams are in spate, while residents of several low-lying areas have reported flash floods inundating their homes and shops.

At least 25 people had lost their lives, and seven others were missing in separate incidents of flash floods and landslides in Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban and Doda districts since Sunday. The prolonged spell of heavy rain has caused extensive damage to public infrastructure and private property, washed away roads and bridges, and disrupted power and water supply in several areas.

Officials said rescue and relief operations had been intensified across the affected districts, with teams from the civil administration, police, SDRF, NDRF and other agencies working round the clock to evacuate stranded residents, restore connectivity and assess the damage.

Authorities have urged people to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary, avoid venturing near rivers, streams and landslide-prone areas, and strictly follow advisories issued by the administration as the spell of inclement weather continues.

The government is closely monitoring the situation, with restoration of essential services and relief to affected families remaining the top priority, officials said.