Torrential Rains Trigger Landslides, Flash Floods; Lives Lost, Dozens Injured Across Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh
JK – 2 August 2025: As monsoon rains continue to batter Jammu and Kashmir, a series of tragic incidents linked to landslides, flash floods, and road accidents have claimed precious lives and left dozens injured. This spell of extreme weather has exposed the vulnerability of hill communities and cast a long shadow of grief across the region.
Tragic Landslide Near Sulkh Ikhtar Nallah: SDM Ramnagar and Son Killed In a devastating landslide near Sulkh Ikhtar Nallah on the Dharmari–Pattian road, a government vehicle (JK20A-1624) was struck by falling debris. Among the deceased were Rajinder Singh Rana (47), SDM Ramnagar, and his 10-year-old son Arav Rana, both of whom died on the spot.
Six others, including Nisha (wife of the SDM), and a family from Thuroo Pattian, sustained critical injuries and were rushed to PHC Dharmari before being referred to District Hospital Reasi.
Pilgrim Killed in Landslide Near Vaishno Devi, Katra A 70-year-old woman pilgrim from Haryana lost her life after being hit by falling debris near Gulshan Langar, close to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra. The incident, triggered by a sudden landslide during heavy rains, occurred as she was walking along the pilgrimage track. Authorities temporarily suspended the yatra due to safety concerns.
Two Teachers Swept Away in Flash Flood at Jalebi Morh, Ramban In Ramban district, two government school teachers—Jagdev Singh and Sanjay Kumar, both residents of Udhampur—were swept away by a flash flood near Jalebi Morh on the Nathatop–Sanasar road. They were returning from a training session at DIET Kud when their motorcycle was caught in a sudden surge of water. Their bodies were later recovered downstream, shocking the education community.
School Tragedy in Poonch: One Child Dead, Teacher Among Five Injured At Government Primary School, Bhainch-Kalsian (Poonch), a landslide triggered by incessant rains sent a massive boulder crashing through the classroom roof, tragically killing 5-year-old student Ehsan Ali. Four other students and a teacher sustained injuries and were hospitalized.
Kupwara Crash: Male Teacher Dead, 29 Students Injured in School Bus Overturn In Kupwara district, a school bus overturned on a rain-slicked road, killing schoolteacher Irshad Ahmad Lone and injuring 29 students, some seriously. The injured were treated at GMC Handwara and nearby hospitals. Rescue efforts involved local volunteers, police, and medical teams.
Ladakh: Two Soldiers Killed as Boulder Hits Army Vehicle In Ladakh, two Army personnel lost their lives when a massive boulder, dislodged by continuous rains, crashed into their convoy vehicle. The remote terrain and weather further delayed rescue efforts. The Army paid tribute to the fallen soldiers and reiterated the need for greater vigilance during the monsoon.
Condolences Pour In; Authorities Urge Caution Top officials, including Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed deep grief over the deaths. LG Sinha remarked, “We have lost dedicated public servants, pilgrims, teachers, and young lives to nature’s fury. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.”
Bad Weather Brings Infrastructure Risks to Fore With landslides, rockfalls, and flash floods becoming frequent during the monsoon, experts have called for strengthened disaster preparedness, infrastructure audits, and early warning systems, especially for schools, pilgrimage routes, and mountain roads.
Call to Action
As extreme weather continues to pose threats, authorities have issued public advisories to:
Avoid non-essential travel through hilly areas
Stay updated with official weather bulletins
Report any signs of slope instability or blocked drainage channels
Several schools remain closed, and emergency teams are on high alert across vulnerable districts.
These tragic events remind us that while nature’s force cannot be controlled, better preparedness and infrastructure resilience can prevent future loss of life.
– Reported by Mansoor Qadir, ITN
