Four killed, five missing as flash floods wreak havoc in J&K’s Rajouri, Poonch

Srinagar: At least four people were killed, and dozens injured in Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu division as flash floods inundated areas, washed away vehicles, and submerged houses in many places.

In Surankote, at least three bodies have been recovered following landslides, flash floods, and torrential rainfall. Several people remain unaccounted for, with at least five reported missing.

In the Haveli area of Poonch, seven houses have been damaged. One person has lost his life, while another is in critical condition. The death toll is feared to go up.

Flash floods inundated Rajouri town on Sunday as authorities moved people from low-lying areas to safer places while many vehicles were either washed away or submerged in the flood.

Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha said on X, “I spoke to the senior officials and reviewed the situation in Rajouri and Poonch affected by incessant rain and flash floods. In Rajouri, rescue teams from the civil administration, police, army, SDRF, and local volunteers are actively working on the ground. Affected families have already been moved to safety. All departments are on high alert, and they are prioritizing immediate relief and repair work. I urge residents to stay calm and follow official updates,” he said.

He said he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives in Rajouri and Poonch’s Haveli and Surankote areas. “My heart goes out to the grieving families. The heavy rains have also damaged several homes across Rajouri and Poonch. I have directed officials to provide immediate aid to all affected families in both districts and ensured that emergency teams remain fully prepared for any situation,” the L-G said.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will be reaching Jammu from Delhi following the worsening flood situation in Poonch and Rajouri. The NC protest in Delhi will now be led tomorrow by Dr Farooq Abdullah.

Rajouri town was hit by flash floods following incessant overnight rainfall, forcing hundreds of residents to move to safer locations as floodwaters inundated low-lying areas, including the new bus stand, early in the day.

Dozens of vehicles were swept away or submerged after overflowing rivers breached their banks, causing widespread disruption, the officials said.

Officials said rescue and relief teams, assisted by the local administration, were engaged in evacuating affected families and assessing the damage, while local Congress MLA Iftkhar Ahmad said there was heavy damage to public and private property in the flash floods.

As a weather advisory warned of moderate to heavy rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir till July 23, the border district of Rajouri experienced relentless rain from Saturday evening, leading to overflowing rivers and streams after a night of heavy downpour.

All the rivers of Rajouri, including Darhali, Khandli, Suktoh and Jamola, were flooded with most of the rivers flowing close to or even above the danger mark, leading to the submergence of many low-lying areas, the officials said.

Darhali River breached the flood protection wall near Bela Colony in Rajouri town, allowing floodwaters to gush into the new bus stand, where dozens of vehicles were washed away or submerged.

Many families were trapped in inundated houses, and loss of livestock has been reported in Bela and adjoining areas.

In Thanamandi, flash floods affected Churung, Rajdhani and Behrote areas.

Labourers working at a crusher unit in Behrote are reported to be trapped, officials said.

Meanwhile, a cloudburst in the Kotli Kalaban and Golinari areas of Manjakote Tehsil triggered flash floods that completely washed away the local graveyard into a nearby stream. Several graves were destroyed, triggering grief and concern among local residents.

The India Meteorological Department issued an advisory on Saturday warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall and the possibility of flash floods in the region. Rescue and relief teams have been rushed to the affected areas. Authorities have urged people living in low-lying areas and near water bodies to remain vigilant.

IANS