At least eight people lost their lives and six others remain missing after torrential rain triggered flash floods and landslides across Jammu and Kashmir's border districts of Poonch and Rajouri on Sunday, PTI reported. The disaster prompted a massive rescue operation involving multiple agencies as authorities raced to locate the missing and assist affected families.
In Haveli tehsil of Poonch district, one person was killed and another critically injured after nearly half a dozen houses collapsed due to the heavy rain.
Meanwhile, flash floods wreaked havoc in Rajouri town, where another woman's body was recovered from a river after overflowing water inundated low-lying areas and forced hundreds of residents to move to safer places. Dozens of vehicles were swept away or submerged after rivers breached their banks, causing widespread disruption across the district.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who was in Delhi for the National Conference's proposed statehood protest, also announced that he was cutting short his visit to return to Jammu and personally monitor the situation.
"In light of the weather warning put out by the meteorological department and 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," PTI quoted the chief minister.
He said the administration's immediate priority was saving lives and extending all possible assistance to affected families.
"Since first light this morning I've been closely monitoring the situation arising from the extremely heavy rain in parts of Jammu, especially Rajouri town & surrounding areas. I've been in touch with the local MLAs of the region. 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 & assist affected people who have suffered property loss/damage due to the rains & flash floods," he said.
According to officials, the swollen Darhali River overflowed into Bela Colony, submerging the entire locality. Several vehicles parked at the Bela Bus Stand were swept away by the strong currents, while many homes remained surrounded by floodwaters. Livestock losses have also been reported from Bela and nearby areas.
The swollen Darhali River overflowed into Bela Colony, submerging the entire locality.
The flooding also damaged the Bela Park and bus stand, with officials reporting extensive destruction. The Churung, Rajdhani, and Behrot areas of the Thanna Mandi subdivision were among the worst affected. In Behrot, workers at a crusher unit were reportedly trapped after water levels rose rapidly.
Dozens of vehicles submerged or destroyed in Rajouri.
Across Rajouri, dozens of vehicles were submerged or destroyed, several buildings suffered damage, and severe waterlogging disrupted daily life. Meanwhile, cloudbursts were reported in the Kotli Kalaban and Golinari areas of Manjakot tehsil, further aggravating the situation.
A local resident said, "A lot of damage has been done. Almost 200 to 250 vehicles are missing... there's no trace left of the bus stand at all. We request the administration to help the people.”
The resulting flash flood completely swept away the local cemetery into a nearby stream, destroying many graves and causing deep grief and concern among residents.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an advisory a day earlier, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall and the possibility of flash floods across the region.
Currently, the administration has dispatched rescue and relief teams to the affected areas. Authorities have also urged people living in low-lying areas and near water bodies to remain vigilant.
Vaishno Devi Yatra Remains Suspended
The Vaishno Devi Yatra has been suspended due to inclement weather and heavy rains that have continued overnight. The torrential overnight rain has resulted in reports of rocks, pebbles, and debris falling on the important battery-powered car route to Vaishno Devi, and a minor landslide has also occurred on the Bhairav Valley route.
Flash floods, heavy rain damaged major routes.
As a result, battery car, helicopter, pony, and palanquin services remain suspended, and all registration centres in Katra have been closed. Around 15,000 pilgrims are currently waiting in Katra for the pilgrimage to resume amid intermittent rain.
Rocks fell on the important battery-powered car route to Vaishno Devi.
Heavy rain also caused mudslides and rockfalls at multiple locations along the Jakhiani-Chenani stretch. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is engaged in clearing the debris. Additionally, the recently repaired down-tube near Dewal has suffered fresh damage, forcing authorities to divert both upward and downward traffic through the up-tube.