On Sunday, April 20, 2025, a massive landslide hit the Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir following heavy rainfall, flash floods, and cloudbursts. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) has been completely blocked from both directions due to multiple landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones reported between Nashri and Banihal. Authorities have suspended all vehicular movement on the route and strongly advised commuters to avoid travel until further notice. Tragically, three people, including two children, lost their lives in Seri village after a house collapsed during a landslide. In another incident at Daadam, around 45 houses were damaged due to heavy rain and flooding, but timely intervention by rescue teams prevented any loss of life. People were safely evacuated and shifted to local shelters, including police stations and schools.
The administration has taken immediate precautionary steps in response to the worsening weather conditions. All government and private schools, colleges, and technical institutions in the Ramban district will remain closed on Monday, April 21. This decision was also extended to the entire Kashmir Valley by the Education Minister, Sakina Itoo, who stated that student safety is the government’s top priority given the ongoing severe weather and continued rainfall forecast.
Deputy Commissioner of Ramban, Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary, confirmed that disaster response teams including the SDRF, NDRF, police, and the District Disaster Management Team are actively working on the ground. While essential services have been restored in some areas, several remote locations are still awaiting recovery efforts. Clearing operations on the highway are in full swing, and the administration hopes to reopen the road partially within the next 48 hours.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chaudhary visited Ramban to assess the situation and oversee relief operations. Multiple houses and vehicles have suffered damage, and the government has reiterated its appeal for residents to stay indoors and prioritize safety as further rainfall is expected over the next 24 hours.
