Srinagar: At least four people were killed and five others remain missing after flash floods, landslides and incessant rainfall caused widespread devastation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri and Poonch districts on Sunday. Houses were damaged, vehicles were swept away, and hundreds of residents were shifted to safer locations as rivers overflowed following continuous heavy rain.

 

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Authorities have launched large-scale rescue and relief operations with teams from the civil administration, police, Army, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local volunteers working to evacuate stranded residents and search for the missing.

Surankote, Haveli among worst-hit; death toll may rise

The worst damage was reported from Surankote in Poonch district, where three bodies were recovered after flash floods and landslides struck the area. At least five people are still missing, raising fears that the death toll could increase.

In Haveli area of Poonch, one person lost their life while another was critically injured. Seven houses were damaged due to the floods, leaving several families displaced.

Rajouri town also witnessed severe flooding after overflowing rivers breached embankments, inundating low-lying localities, including the new bus stand. Dozens of parked vehicles were either washed away or submerged under floodwaters.

Rescue operations intensified as LG reviews situation

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reviewed the flood situation with senior officials and said all emergency agencies were on high alert.

He said rescue teams from the administration, police, Army, SDRF and volunteers were actively engaged in relief operations, while affected families had been shifted to safer places. The Lieutenant Governor also directed officials to provide immediate assistance to all affected households in Rajouri and Poonch.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is returning to Jammu from New Delhi to review the situation on the ground. His scheduled political programme in the national capital has been postponed due to the worsening flood crisis.

IMD warns of more heavy rain till July 23

According to officials, continuous rainfall since Saturday evening caused rivers including the Darhali, Khandli, Suktoh and Jamola to swell dangerously, with several crossing or nearing the danger mark.

The Darhali River breached its flood protection wall near Bela Colony, allowing floodwaters to enter Rajouri town and inundate residential areas and the new bus stand. Many families remained trapped in flooded homes, while livestock losses were also reported.

Flash floods also affected Thanamandi, including Churung, Rajdhani and Behrote villages, where labourers working at a crusher unit are feared trapped.

In Manjakote Tehsil, a cloudburst triggered flash floods that washed away a local graveyard in Kotli Kalaban and Golinari villages, damaging several graves and causing distress among residents.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for moderate to heavy rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir until July 23, cautioning about the possibility of more flash floods, landslides and waterlogging. Authorities have advised people living near rivers, streams and low-lying areas to remain vigilant and follow official advisories.

The administration has continued rescue, evacuation and damage assessment operations as efforts remain focused on locating the missing and providing relief to affected families.