J&K cloudburst: 4 dead, houses washed off as flash floods hit Ramban; rescue ops on

Four people were killed and at least one other is missing after a cloudburst was reported in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban on Saturday.

Several houses were damaged as flash flood hit the Rajgarh area of Ramban following incessant rainfall. Rescue operation is underway, ANI reported.

According to authorities, heavy rain and a cloudburst in the higher reaches triggered the floods, sweeping away houses and damaging several others. Some structures were completely washed off in the gushing waters.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh took to X and said, "Just now spoke to DC Ramban Mohammad Alyas Khan. Cloudburst in Rajgarh area resulting in the unfortunate casualty of four persons. The fifth one is missing and the search is going on. Meanwhile, there is no injured. Rescue operation is on. Every possible assistance being provided. I am in constant touch."

J&K has been witnessing heavy rain for the past few days, with floods, landslides impacting several regions. Major routes, including the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), have been damaged, bringing traffic to a halt.

Nine inter-district roads across the Jammu region are also closed due to landslides and erosion. Dozens of villages in Jammu, Samba, Kathua and Udhampur remain cut off after days of relentless rainfall.

Meanwhile, a yellow alert was sounded for Friday in Poonch, Reasi, Rajouri, Kishtwar, and Udhampur districts, warning of thunderstorms and lightning. An orange alert has been issued for Saturday and Sunday in Poonch, Kishtwar, Jammu, Ramban, and Udhampur, indicating the possibility of heavier rainfall.

(With inputs from agencies)