SRINAGAR: Heavy rains wreaked havoc in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, triggering a cloudburst in Ramban district and a massive landslide in neighbouring Reasi. At least 11 people, including five children, were killed in the twin tragedies, while several others remain missing. Officials said the cloudburst hit Rajgarh tehsil of Ramban in the early hours, unleashing landslides and flash floods that damaged houses and forced residents to flee for safety. Rescue teams comprising SDRF personnel, police, local authorities, and villagers were immediately pressed into service to search for those trapped under the debris. The Meteorological Department had already warned of heavy rainfall, cloudbursts, and landslides in the region, and overnight downpours proved devastating.

In Reasi district, a separate landslide flattened a house in Badar village of Mahore, claiming the lives of seven members of a single family, including a couple and their five children. The victims were identified as 38-year-old Nazir Ahmed and his wife Wazira Begum, along with their children, whose bodies were pulled from the rubble by rescuers. The tragedy has sent shockwaves across the region, with residents describing the scene as “unimaginable destruction.” Rescue teams, aided by locals, continue to dig through debris as the possibility of finding survivors grows slimmer with each passing hour. Authorities have warned residents in vulnerable hilly areas to remain vigilant as heavy rains continue to lash large parts of Jammu.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and directed district administrations to remain on high alert. He urged officials to carry out round-the-clock monitoring, ensure timely evacuation of residents from high-risk areas, and extend immediate relief to affected families. “The government will stand by the victims in this hour of tragedy,” the Chief Minister’s Office said in a statement, while appealing to the public to avoid vulnerable zones and strictly follow safety advisories. The recent incidents highlight the growing frequency of cloudbursts in J&K, with this being the third major disaster in two weeks. Earlier, 68 people were killed in Kishtwar on August 14, while 34 pilgrims lost their lives on the Vaishno Devi route on August 26. The latest devastation has renewed calls for a stronger disaster management framework in the Himalayan region.