At least seven people were killed after a landslide triggered by incessant rainfall struck a house in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Monday, officials said.

The incident happened in the higher reaches of Loran village, with a mud house getting crushed in the landslide triggered by heavy rains. A rescue operation is being conducted on the spot. Four women were among the deceased, officials said.

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According to Jagran.com, citing reports, all the family members were inside the house when the landslide struck. Massive debris and boulders hurtled down the hillside with such force that the occupants had no time to escape. The house was flattened within moments, leaving seven members of the same family dead. Locals said the structure was completely reduced to rubble.

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Former BJP state president Ravinder Raina expressed his deep condolences on the accident on his social media handle, X. 

“Heartbreaking and deeply unfortunate news is coming from the Loran area of Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir, where a devastating landslide struck a residential house, trapping a family inside. Tragically, six to seven people are feared to have lost their lives in this horrific incident,” Raina said.

Poonch has been suffering from torrential rains since Saturday evening. Following the incident, the death toll from rains in the district has reached 17, while six people remain missing, PTI reported.

IMD Forecast

While Poonch and Rajouri have already witnessed widespread rainfall, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rain, flash floods and the possibility of cloudbursts across several Jammu districts, including Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch, between July 20 and July 24. A fresh heavy rain alert has also been issued for parts of the Kashmir Valley.

The Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department, Kashmir, on Monday issued a public advisory warning of extremely heavy rainfall in the Jhelum Basin on July 21. According to the department, intense rainfall could trigger flash floods and cause a rapid rise in water levels across South Kashmir.

The advisory stated that Anantnag, Kulgam and Shopian are likely to receive 50 mm to 100 mm of rainfall, particularly during the morning of July 21, with showers expected to continue until the morning of July 22.

Authorities warned that the heavy rainfall could lead to flash floods and a sudden rise in water levels in rivers, tributaries, streams, khuls, drains and other water channels, especially in the higher reaches and hilly areas of South Kashmir.

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Advisory For Residents

The I&FC Department urged residents to remain alert as water levels in the Jhelum River and its tributaries are expected to rise significantly.

People have been advised to:

* Stay away from rivers, streams, khuls, water channels and other flood-prone areas.

* Avoid unnecessary travel to vulnerable and hilly regions.

* Residents of low-lying areas should remain cautious and closely monitor official weather and flood advisories issued by the authorities.

The public advisory was issued by Chief Engineer Shevkat Hussain of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Kashmir, as a precautionary measure to safeguard lives and property amid the forecast of heavy rainfall.


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