J-K: 2 swept away after sudden water surge in Ramnagar ravine; one body recovered, search on for second
Ramnagar, August 8
Two people were swept away after a sudden surge of water entered a ravine in Ramnagar, officials said.
Executive Magistrate 1st Class and Tehsildar Ramnagar Satish Kumar said one body was found lodged against a rock and was being retrieved, while a search operation was underway for the second person.
Local authorities launched an immediate search and rescue operation involving the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the police following reports of the incident.
Speaking to ANI, Satish Kumar, said, "We were informed that water had suddenly surged into a ravine and that two people had been swept away. As soon as we learned this, we rushed to the spot; I called the SHO and the SDRF team."
"According to the latest report, one body is lodged against a rock and is being retrieved, while the search for the second body has already commenced," he added.
Meanwhile, extensive damage to agricultural land and standing crops has been reported from Mehra village in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district after fresh flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall swept through the area, leaving several farming families facing severe losses.
A local farmer from Mehra village said that the latest flash flood has increased the destruction caused by the July 19 floods, washing away fertile agricultural land that sustained dozens of families.
Repeated spells of intense rainfall have eroded riverbanks and agricultural fields, disrupting livelihoods in the village. The change in the river's course has also resulted in large stretches of cultivable land being washed away, raising concerns over the long-term impact on farming and livestock-dependent households.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), isolated heavy rainfall is likely over parts of Jammu and Kashmir, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. The weather department has advised people to remain alert, particularly in vulnerable areas, as heavy rain may lead to localised flooding, flash floods and landslides in susceptible locations.
Officials have urged people living near rivers, streams and landslide-prone areas to exercise caution and follow advisories issued by local authorities.
Damage assessment is underway in Rajouri, with affected families seeking compensation and restoration measures for the loss of agricultural land and livelihoods.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is what happens when we don't invest enough in early warning systems and safety infrastructure in vulnerable areas. The farmers in Mehra village have lost everything twice in just weeks. We need better disaster management planning, not just rescue operations after the damage is done. 🇮🇳
Nature's fury is unpredictable. In Jammu and Kashmir, the terrain itself is challenging, and climate change is making rainfall patterns erratic. The government should prioritize compensation for farmers and long-term measures to protect riverbanks from erosion. Also, full marks to the SDRF teams for risking their lives in these rescue operations 💯
My prayers are with the victims and their families. This kind of sudden flash flooding in ravines is particularly dangerous because people often don't see it coming until it's too late. The IMD warning should be taken more seriously by people in vulnerable zones.
Bahut dukhad samachar. This is the third major flood event in the region this year alone. The authorities should stop doing patchwork and create a proper flood management system for hill states. Aapda prabandhan is critical in such areas. Mere taraf se shraddhanjali to the deceased aur himmat to the families. 🙏
Terrible tragedy. The impact on agricultural livelihoods is often overlooked in these disaster reports. Families dependent on farming in Rajouri district must be devastated after losing their fertile lands. Hope the compensation process is swift and adequate this time — they simply cannot afford another delay.
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