Couple swept away in flash floods in Udhampur; one body recovered

Rescue teams were immediately pressed into service, and a victim’s body was recovered; efforts were on to trace the other person, officials said

A body has been recovered after a couple was swept away in a flash flood triggered by heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Thursday evening, officials said.

Rescue teams were immediately pressed into service, and a victim’s body was recovered. (HT Photo for representation)

The incident occurred in the Kaghote panchayat of the Ramnagar area after intense rains triggered a sudden flash flood, they said. According to locals, the couple, identified as 58-year-old Baldev and 53-year-old Maya Devi, had gone to graze their cattle and were crossing a nallah when they were caught in the strong current and washed away.

Rescue teams were immediately pressed into service, and a victim’s body was recovered. Efforts were on to trace the other person, officials said. It wasn’t immediately clear whether it was the husband or the wife whose body had been found.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh said he spoke to Udhampur Deputy Commissioner Minga Sherpa after receiving information about the incident.

MeT forecasts heavy rains from today across J&K

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast another wet spell across Jammu and Kashmir, with a warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Jammu division and possible flash floods during August 9-11.

“August 8 will witness one or two spells of light to moderate rain and thundershowers at many places. Brief intense showers are also expected at a few places,” an IMD official said. “Torrential rain and brief intense heavy showers may generate flash floods and landslides at vulnerable places and cause water logging in low lying areas,” the MeT official said.

He advised the people to stay away from nullahs, landslide-prone areas and other vulnerable spots. Authorities have been asked to remain alert.