J&K: 10 Dead, Several Missing as Flash Floods Batter Poonch-Rajouri
All the deaths were reported from the worst-affected Surankote tehsil, where authorities have deployed rescue teams
SRINAGAR: At least ten people were killed and six others remain missing after torrential rains triggered devastating flash floods, cloudburst-like conditions and massive landslides across Jammu and Kashmir's twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri on Sunday, as extreme weather battered large parts of the Union Territory, disrupting road connectivity, damaging infrastructure and prompting authorities to suspend major pilgrimage movements in the interest of public safety.
The worst tragedy unfolded in the Lower Murrah area of Surankote in Poonch district, where incessant overnight rainfall unleashed flash floods and landslides that buried residential houses under debris, trapping several families.
According to officials, ten people lost their lives in the disaster. Eight of them have been identified as Noor Safia (59), wife of Mohammad Latief; Sajad Ahmed (16), son of Mohammad Latief; Haqnawaz Ahmed (10), son of Mohammad Latief; Shahnawaz Ahmed (10), son of Mohammad Latief; Khalda Kouser (25), wife of Yasar Iqbal; Sofian (2), son of Yasar Iqbal; Bano Bi (60), wife of Mohammad Hussain; and Mohammad Akram (7), son of Mohammad Liaqat.
Rescue teams comprising personnel from the J&K Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), civil administration, Army and local volunteers continued a relentless search operation to trace six persons who are still missing and are feared to have been swept away by floodwaters or trapped beneath the debris. Authorities said rescue and relief operations were being conducted on a war footing despite challenging weather conditions.
The widespread spell of heavy rain caused extensive damage across Poonch and Rajouri districts, with houses, vehicles, roads, bridges and other public infrastructure suffering significant losses. Several villages witnessed overflowing streams and swollen nallahs, while vulnerable slopes experienced fresh landslides. Officials urged residents living in low-lying and landslide-prone areas to remain indoors, avoid riverbanks and water channels, and strictly follow safety advisories issued by the administration.
The weather situation remained grim across J&K, with continuous rainfall disrupting normal life in several districts. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), the vital all-weather road link connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country, was affected by landslides, mudslides and shooting stones at multiple locations, forcing authorities to suspend traffic movement. Other key roads across the Jammu region also witnessed disruptions due to flash floods and debris accumulation.
In view of the deteriorating weather and safety concerns, authorities earlier suspended the ongoing Amarnath Yatra from both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes and also temporarily halted the movement of pilgrims to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, as a precautionary measure to safeguard devotees from weather-related hazards.
Amid the unfolding crisis, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah curtailed his visit to New Delhi and decided to return to J&K to personally monitor the situation. Abdullah had travelled to the national capital to participate in a planned protest seeking restoration of J&K's statehood. The demonstration, scheduled for Monday to coincide with the commencement of Parliament's Monsoon Session, will now be led by National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah.
Expressing profound grief over the loss of lives in Poonch, the Chief Minister extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. He said the administration, SDRF, Police and all other concerned agencies were fully engaged in rescue and relief operations and had been directed to ensure that every possible assistance reaches affected families without delay.
In view of the weather warning issued by the Meteorological Department and the rapidly evolving situation across parts of the Jammu division, the Chief Minister said he was returning to Jammu to directly oversee relief and rescue efforts. He also said he had remained in constant touch with local MLAs and district authorities to assess the situation and coordinate the government's response.
"While the situation continues to unfold, the first priority of the administration is to safeguard precious lives. The government will do everything possible to aid and assist the affected people who have suffered loss of life, property and damage due to the heavy rains, flash floods and landslides," the Chief Minister said, reiterating that relief, rescue and rehabilitation measures would be carried out swiftly and effectively in all affected areas.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also reviewed the rain and flood situation in Rajouri and Poonch districts following the incessant downpour and flash floods. During discussions with senior officials, he assessed the prevailing conditions and monitored the response mechanism in the affected areas.
According to an official statement, the Lt. Governor directed all concerned agencies to ensure immediate rescue, relief and assistance for affected families. Sinha confirmed the rescue operations were being carried out jointly by the civil administration, J&K Police, the Indian Army, SDRF and local volunteers, particularly in Rajouri district, where heavy rainfall had caused extensive damage. He said affected families had been shifted to safer locations and all departments had been placed on high alert to expedite relief distribution, restoration of essential services and emergency response measures.
Appealing to the public to remain vigilant, the Lt. Governor urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel in vulnerable areas and strictly adhere to official advisories. Expressing deep sorrow over the fatalities reported from Rajouri and the Haveli and Surankote areas of Poonch district, he conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and directed district administrations to provide immediate financial assistance and humanitarian relief to all affected households while ensuring preparedness for any further contingency arising from the ongoing spell of severe weather.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the flood situation in the rain-ravaged districts of J&K, speaking separately with Lt. Governor Sinha and Chief Minister Abdullah to assess the ongoing rescue and relief operations.
During the conversations, Shah assured the Union Territory administration of the Centre's full support in dealing with the crisis and reiterated that all necessary assistance would be provided for rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures. He emphasised that the Government of India was closely monitoring the situation and would extend every possible help to ensure the safety, security and well-being of people affected by the flash floods, landslides and incessant rainfall, officials said.
