3 Dead, 5 Missing After Cloudburst in J&K’s Ramban

• 3 killed, 5 missing after cloudburst in Ramban’s Rajgarh tehsil.
• Union Minister Jitendra Singh assures full support.
• J&K Dy CM urges PM Modi, HM Shah for ₹1.6 lakh crore package for Jammu.
• IMD issues orange alert in several J&K districts.

GG News Bureau
Ramban, 30th Aug: At least three people, including two women, lost their lives after a cloudburst hit Rajgarh tehsil in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district on Saturday. Officials said rescue teams have recovered the bodies while five others remain missing. A search and rescue operation has been launched to trace them.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed the incident after speaking with Ramban Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan. He posted on X: “Cloud burst in Rajgarh area resulting in the unfortunate casualty of four persons. The fifth one is missing and the search is going on.” Singh assured that every possible assistance is being provided to the affected families.

J&K has been battered by heavy rainfall in recent days, triggering multiple cloudbursts and flash floods. On Friday, another cloudburst in Bandipora’s Gurez sector caused panic, though no casualties were reported.

With the situation worsening, J&K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for a ₹1.6 lakh crore package for Jammu. He said the region is facing its worst natural calamity in nearly a century.

“The damage is immense. This time Jammu has witnessed even greater floods than Kashmir in 2014. I urge the PM and Home Minister to announce a package worth more than ₹80,000 crore, directly for the affected people,” Choudhary said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Rajouri, Reasi, Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua and Samba districts, warning of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning. A yellow alert has also been issued for Ramban, Kishtwar, and Doda, predicting moderate rainfall with possible thunderstorms.