Srinagar: At least 12 people have died after heavy, persistent rains triggered flash floods and landslides in Jammu and Kashmir’s border districts of Poonch and Rajouri, officials said on Sunday. Vehicles were washed away and dozens of homes and stretches of road were damaged as rescue teams raced to reach affected communities.
The most severe damage was reported from the Lower Murrah area of Surankote in Poonch, where floodwaters and landslide debris surged through residential neighbourhoods, burying houses and trapping families. Roads and other infrastructure were extensively damaged, complicating relief efforts.
“The border district has been receiving heavy downpour since yesterday evening,” officials said, with flash floods and mudslides causing several house collapses. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Poonch Dr Parvez Ahmad told The New Indian Express that 11 people have died so far in Poonch from the floods and landslides.
Among the victims was a sole member of a family who was trapped under debris after a house collapse. A minor girl drowned after being swept into a stream in the Marhote area; her body was later recovered. Another body, that of an unidentified woman, was found in a stream near Dhundak bridge.
Flash Floods Swamp Rajouri Bus Stand
In neighbouring Rajouri, heavy rains sent floodwaters through the town’s general bus stand at Bele Wala around 2:30 am, inundating low-lying homes and sweeping away many parked private and public vehicles. Trucks, cabs and cars were buried or carried off by the rushing water. A woman was washed away and is feared dead; efforts are under way to recover her body.
Rescue Teams Battle Bad Weather
Authorities have launched large-scale rescue and relief operations in both districts, but ongoing downpours have hindered the work.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said he spoke with senior officials to review the situation in Rajouri and Poonch and confirmed that civil administration, police, army, SDRF and local volunteers are on the ground. “Affected families have already been moved to safety. All departments are on high alert and are prioritizing immediate relief and repair work,” he said, urging residents to remain calm and follow official updates.
Chief Minister Cuts Short Delhi Visit
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep grief over the fatalities and extended condolences to the bereaved, while praying for the recovery of the injured. He said the administration, SDRF, police and other agencies are fully engaged in rescue and relief work and has ordered that “all possible assistance reaches the affected families without delay.”
In view of the meteorological warning, Omar said he will leave Delhi to fly to Jammu this afternoon to personally monitor the situation. “The statehood protest will go ahead under the leadership of @JKNC_ President Dr Farooq Abdullah as planned,” he posted on X.
Amarnath Yatra Suspended
Citing an IMD forecast, authorities have temporarily suspended the Amarnath yatra on both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes from Sunday to ensure pilgrim safety.
Officials said over 3.7 lakh pilgrims have so far visited the cave shrine during this season.
No new convoys from Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, were allowed to proceed to the Baltal and Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camps today.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar advised pilgrims to stay at their current accommodations in Jammu, Udhampur and Ramban and await further instructions.
MeT Warns Of Extended Heavy Rains
The Meteorological Department, Kashmir, has issued an advisory warning of an extended wet spell from July 19 to July 23, cautioning of flash floods, landslides, mudslides and rockfalls in vulnerable zones.
The MeT warned the spell may disrupt road connectivity, including the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, and cause waterlogging and minor flooding in low-lying areas. It attributed the weather activity to moisture inflow from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal combined with a northward shift of the western end of the monsoon trough toward Jammu.