J&K flash floods: Schools, colleges to remain shut in Ramban on Monday amid ongoing rescue operations

NEW DELHI: All government and private schools, colleges, and technical institutions in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district will remain closed on Monday due to inclement weather and flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall, officials said.

“In view of inclement weather and heavy rain causing flash floods, all Govt and Private Schools, Colleges & Technical Education Institutions of district Ramban shall remain closed on 21.04.2025. Stay indoors, stay safe!” the District Election Officer (Deputy Commissioner), Ramban, said in a public advisory posted on X.

In view of inclement weather and heavy rain causing flash floods, all Govt and Private Schools, Colleges & Technical Education Institutions of district Ramban shall remain closed on 21.04.2025.
Stay indoors, stay safe! @diprjk @BaseerUlHaqIAS @RambanPolice

— Deputy Commissioner (DEO), Ramban (@dcramban) April 20, 2025

The decision comes as rescue and restoration efforts continue across the district following landslides and flash floods that caused the death of three people and damaged dozens of homes. Authorities have also suspended traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway after landslides and shooting stones blocked multiple points on the route.

Rescue operations ongoing

“Police administration, civil administration, NDRF, SDRF are present here and common people are also working with us. Now rain has started again due to which our restoration work is getting hampered, but if the weather remains fine till morning, we will speed it up...” said Ramban SSP Kulbir Singh.

#WATCH | Ramban, J&K: Ramban landslide | Ramban SSP Kulbir Singh says "Police administration, civil administration, NDRF, SDRF are present here and common people are also working with us. Now rain has started again due to which our restoration work is getting hampered, but if the… pic.twitter.com/ztzf7zEmWE

— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2025

The district has reported severe damage to property and infrastructure. Flash floods and landslides hit several areas, including Seri and Daadam villages. In Seri, three people died after a house collapsed, while in Daadam around 45 houses were damaged.

Heavy rains caused flash floods, landslides

Ramban Deputy Commissioner Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary said, “We had already issued heavy rain advisory... Heavy rains caused flash floods, landslides which led to the closure of our national highway... Houses have been damaged in Ramban but no deaths have been reported. In Daadam, we rescued people in time and shifted them to local police station, school."

#WATCH | Ramban, J&K | Ramban landslide | Ramban DC, Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary says, ".We had already issued heavy rain advisory... Heavy rains caused flash floods, landslides which led to the closure of our national highway... Houses have been damaged in Ramban but no deaths have… pic.twitter.com/OrNm6Uj9wh

— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2025

"Around 45 houses were damaged there but there were no deaths. Unfortunately, 3 people died in Seri due to house collapse... Tomorrow our effort will be to fully open the national highway. We will try our best to clear most of the roads in the next 48 hours. Essential services have been restored in some parts, in some remote areas it is yet to be restored. Our team is on the spot, District Disaster Management Team is on the spot... SDRF, NDRF, Police team, District Disaster Management Team are all present on the spot..." he added.

Over 100 people have been rescued so far, according to officials. Vehicles were swept away by overflowing streams, and dozens of homes were partially or completely damaged in flash flood-hit areas.

The heavy rainfall affected other parts of the Union Territory as well. In Udhampur district, strong winds uprooted trees, blocked roads, and caused major power outages. In Jammu city, a portion of the Civil Secretariat’s boundary wall collapsed, damaging parked vehicles nearby.

“I inspected my Panchayat, and several trees were uprooted. Traffic and electricity have been impacted. It’s been 4-5 years since we experienced such powerful winds. A full assessment of the damage will be possible by tomorrow morning,” said former Sarpanch of Sateni Panchayat, Parshottam Gupta.

The India Meteorological Department had earlier warned of severe weather between April 18–20 due to an active western disturbance, forecasting heavy rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds across J&K.

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed sorrow over the loss of life and extensive damage. “Extremely anguished by the tragic landslide and flash flood in Ramban, which have caused considerable damage to life and property. We are in touch with the local administration to ensure immediate rescue efforts wherever needed. Later today, I will be reviewing restoration, relief, and repair plans. For now, the focus remains on managing the situation on the ground. Citizens are advised to follow travel advisories and avoid non-essential movement in vulnerable areas.”