Ramban Flash Floods: Determined Groom Walks 7 Km With Family to Reach Wedding Venue as NH-44 Blocked Due to Heavy Rains and Landslides
Ramban, April 21: With heavy rains triggering flash floods and wreaking havoc across parts of Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the closure of National Highway 44, locals in the area are forced to complete their journeys on foot, as there is no possibility of moving vehicles on the Highway. An expectant groom, who is looking to keep the promise of getting married today, has decided to travel the last stretch to the wedding venue on foot with his family. With vehicles unable to pass through the National Highway, he says he expects to travel around seven kilometres on foot for over four hours.
“I am getting married and we are going for neel gaganaan, with the rains yesterday the situation is like that now so now we have to go walking. We left our houses in the morning at 6, we kept our cars nearby and now we will just walk for over 7-8 kilometres then we will look for cars,” the groom, Hashkhor Ahmad, told ANI on Monday. He further said that if the road is not repaired by the time he needs to bring his wife home, he will be forced to have her travel on foot too. Jammu and Kashmir Rains: 3 Killed, Over 100 Rescued As Flash Floods Triggered by Heavy Rains Hit Dharamkund Village Near Chenab River in Ramban (Watch Videos).
“Whatever God has willed has happened…now if by the time I have to bring my wife and the road is not fixed then also we will have to walk the whole way. I request the government to clear NH 44, a lot of people are stuck, some with kids, some otherwise. The road should be cleared as soon as possible,” he said.
The groom urged the government to clear the road as soon as possible, underlining that multiple people are stuck in traffic, with kids, in buses and otherwise, unable to move anywhere. ‘Work in Progress’: Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah Says Government Working With Centre on Time Frame for Restoration of Statehood.
On April 20 (Sunday), Union Minister Jitendra Singh hailed the Indian Army for their timely assistance by setting up medical aid camps, distributing medicines and ensuring food and clean drinking water reaches the affected people.
“I feel gratified to inform that the Army has set up medical aid camps, distributed essential medicines and ensured access to food and clean drinking water. They have also made special arrangements for tea and basic meals for the affected population,” the Union Minister wrote in a post on X.
Praising the District Magistrate for leading the efforts to manage the disaster, he wrote, “In the aftermath of the torrential hailstorm yesterday, while the district administration team led by energetic DC Mr Baseer Haq has been commendably on the job since last night.” Authorities have urged residents to stay indoors, avoid travelling along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, and follow official advisories until the weather improves and clearing operations are completed. Schools in the area have also been ordered to shut down amid the weather conditions. Till now, three people, including two children, have died due to the landslides.
