August 1, 2025

JAMMU: In a tragic incident, two government teachers from Udhampur were swept away by sudden flash floods in the Ramban district of Jammu. This heartbreaking event occurred while heavy rains led local authorities to close all government and private schools in neighboring Poonch and Rajouri districts. The weather in Jammu and Kashmir has forced authorities to temporarily halt the Amarnath Yatra for the second time this month due to safety concerns. The deceased, Jagdev Singh and Sanjay Kumar, both residents of Ghordi village in Ramnagar, Udhampur district, were on a motorcycle when they encountered the flash floods on the Nathatop-Sanasar road. The two teachers were attending a three-day training session at the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) in Kud, which began on July 29. Authorities received a report of a motorcycle abandoned by the roadside at Jalebi Morh nallah, which prompted a search and rescue operation by local police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Tragically, rescue teams recovered the bodies approximately 150 and 300 meters away from the link road, indicating they had been washed away by the swiftly rising waters. Witnesses shared that the teachers were last seen on Tuesday evening amidst heavy rains in the Sanasar area. Police suspect that they were likely swept away by the strong streams caused by sudden water surges in the region. In light of the unfavorable weather forecast, where the Meteorological department anticipates ongoing heavy to moderate rains across J&K for the next three days, the school education board made the decision to postpone class 12 examinations scheduled for Wednesday in both Jammu and Kashmir, as well as in Ladakh. Updates regarding the rescheduled dates will be made available to students soon. Furthermore, due to the adverse weather impact on the movement of pilgrims, authorities have also suspended the Amarnath Yatra from both Pahalgam and Baltal routes. Jammu divisional commissioner Rakesh Kumar announced that pilgrim movement from the base camps would cease until conditions improve. He stated, “No convoy movement shall be allowed towards the base camps of Baltal and Nunwan from Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, on July 31.” This annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath shrine has faced interruptions this month, with the first halt occurring on July 17 after warnings of heavy rainfall across various districts in J&K. The safety of the pilgrims remains a top priority for the authorities amidst unpredictable weather patterns. In conclusion, the loss of the two teachers has resonated deeply within the community and serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by sudden weather changes. As residents and authorities brace for continued heavy rains, further precautionary measures are expected to ensure public safety.

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Tags: Flash floods, Udhampur, Jammu, Government teachers, Amarnath yatra, School closure,