Ramban (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], April 20 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary on Sunday visited the area affected by the landslide that killed three people and assured the public not to panic.

Surinder Kumar Choudhary reached the spot in Ramban, where several buildings and vehicles were damaged by a landslide following heavy rains and hailstorms in the district.

Speaking to ANI, the deputy chief minister said that the government will make every possible effort to provide relief to the affected people.

'There is no need for the public to panic. I have reached the spot on the instructions of the chief minister, which means that the government is very serious. The government stands with them in this hour of grief... The government will make every possible effort to provide relief to the affected people... It is very unfortunate that three people lost their lives,' Choudhary said.

Earlier, Ramban MLA Arjun Singh Raju expressed grief over the loss of property and lives after the landslide hit the area.

Speaking to ANI, Singh Raju said that the priority of the administration is to save people affected by the landslides and open the roads that have been blocked.

'...I am very saddened with the loss of property and loss of lives... The situation is getting normal now... The priority of the administration is to save people affected by landslides and open the roads that have been affected by it... A special package should be declared for it... Three people have lost their lives,' Arjun Singh Raju said.

Clearance operations are underway on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway after it was blocked by flash floods that struck the district early on Sunday morning.

Ramban Deputy Commissioner Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary said the DRF, NDRF, police team, and district disaster management team are all present at the site and are working on rescue operations.

'We had already issued a heavy rain advisory... Heavy rains caused flash floods and 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 the local police station and school. Around 45 houses were damaged there but there were no deaths. Unfortunately, 3 people died in Seri due to house collapse,' he said.

Heavy rains in Ramban on Sunday led to multiple landslides.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed grief over the landslides and flash floods that caused serious damage to life and property in Ramban.

In a post shared by the Chief Minister's Office on X, Abdullah said, 'Extremely anguished by the tragic landslide and flash flood in Ramban, which has caused considerable damage to life and property. My thoughts are with the affected families in this difficult hour. 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.'

He offered condolences to the affected families and assured them that rescue and relief work was underway. (ANI)