Death toll in J&K flash floods rises to 10; Amarnath Yatra suspended, CM Omar cuts Delhi trip short

The worst-affected in Poonch was Surankote tehsil, where authorities have deployed rescue teams and intensified relief operations to reach stranded residents.

At least eight people were killed and six, including a six-month-old infant, went missing after heavy rains triggered landslides and flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir’s twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri early Sunday. Rescue teams recovered multiple bodies as authorities launched operations amid widespread damage to homes, vehicles and infrastructure.

View of an overflowing river as heavy rains in J&K's Poonch and Rajouri wreaked havoc. (Sourced)

Poonch and Rajouri are located around 250 km and 150 km northwest of Jammu, respectively. Surankote tehsil of Poonch district reported four deaths, while a woman went missing in Rajouri town.

Rescuers have so far recovered six bodies in Surankote, one in Haveli and one in Rajouri. Search and rescue operations are underway at various places in the two districts.

In Surankote’s Lower Murrah village, a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall struck a house in the early hours of Sunday, burying all eight occupants under the debris. Officials said rescue teams recovered the bodies of 60-year-old Bano Bi and two-year-old Sofian Yasar.

The deceased have been identified as Noor Safia wife of Mohd Latief, aged 59; Sajad Ahmed son of Mohd Latief, aged 16; Haqnawaz Ahmed son of Mohd Latief, aged 10; Shahnawaz Ahmed son of Mohd Latief, aged 10; Khalda Kouser wife of Yasar Iqbal, aged 25; Sofian son of Yasar Iqbal, aged 2; Bano Bi wife of Mohd Hussain, aged 60; and Mohd Akram son of Mohd Liaqat, aged 7.

In view of heavy rains, authorities have suspended Amarnath Yatra, Vaishno Devi Yatra, Shiv Khori Yatra and Machail Mata Yatra.

What we know about the flash flood victims

A 28-year-old woman, Nazia Kousar, died after her house collapsed in Noonabandi village. Her husband, Mohammad Hafiz, and their three children, aged between two and six years, were rescued with injuries and admitted to hospital.

In other rain-related incidents, 22-year-old Shahzaib Ahmad died after his house collapsed in Sanglani-Surankote, while a minor girl, Iram, drowned in a stream at Marhote. The body of an unidentified woman was also recovered from a stream near the Dhundak Lathoong bridge.

Similarly, an unidentified person was killed and another critically injured after several houses collapsed in Haveli tehsil of Poonch district.

In Rajouri town, which was hit by flash floods following incessant overnight rainfall, the body of a woman was recovered from the Darhali river. Hundreds of residents were shifted to safer locations after floodwaters entered low-lying areas.

River in spate as heavy rain triggered flash flood.

Rivers in spate, cars swept away

Several vehicles were swept away and Bela Colony near the new bus stand in Rajouri town was devastated following an intense spell of overnight rains.

An official said torrential rains lashed Rajouri town between 1 am and 6 am, triggering flash floods in several areas. “Munawar Tawi was in spate and flooding caused significant damage, including loss of dozens of vehicles and damage to several structures,” he added.

“There has been significant damage. The bus stand has been completely devastated. We request the administration to help the affected people,” a Rajouri resident, Ashok Kumar, said.

Rajouri MLA Iftikar Ahmed said, “We have suffered huge losses in the rains. I have briefed the chief minister Omar Abdullah about the losses. It’s still raining in the area. I would advise the people to stay away from the river and move to safety areas. I am in constant touch with the district administration.”

The water level of Rajouri Tawi, after crossing the alert level of 3.50 metres and reaching 3.80 metres, is now showing a decline. The water level has dropped to 3.0 metres.

Heavy rain forecast from July 19 to 23

The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rains from July 19 to 23 in some districts of J&K, with extremely heavy rain over Reasi and Udhampur districts during late afternoon, evening, late night and morning hours. “There is possibility of heavy rains and brief intense heavy showers, torrential rain at few districts of J&K with heavy to very heavy rain over Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Rajouri, Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar towards during July 19 to 23 July,” said an IMD official.

There is a possibility of flash floods, landslides and mudslides at vulnerable places, along with a significant rise in water levels in rivers and sub-basins, leading to flooding and waterlogging in low-lying areas, he said.

Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha has reviewed the rescue and relief operations in Rajouri and Poonch following incessant rain and flash floods. In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor said, “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. I am 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.”

Meanwhile, chief minister Omar Abdullah, who was in Delhi for the statehood protest on Monday, is returning to Jammu to monitor relief operations.

“In light of the weather warning put out by the meteorological department & the seriousness of the situation unfolding across parts of Jammu division I will leave Delhi to fly to Jammu this afternoon to personally monitor the situation on the ground. The statehood protest will go ahead under the leadership of @JKNC_ President Dr Farooq Abdullah as planned,” he posted on X.

Senior BJP leader from Rajouri Ranjeet Tara said, “Several vehicles that included dumpers, cars and two wheelers have been swept away following floods in Munawar Tawi river. The entire Bela Colony and new bus stand that was made for Thannamandi and Darhal bound buses have been devastated,”

“The extent of the damaged could be gauged from the fact that entire Bela Colony has been inundated with deluge. The new bus stand is nowhere in sight,” he said. Tara regretted that despite a clear weather alert, the district administration didn’t evacuate the people from low-lying areas on the banks of Munawar Tawi. “Holding meetings in the name of disaster management preparedness and doing photo ops does not serve any purpose,” he said.