Jammu: Heavy rains on Monday triggered flash floods and landslides across several parts of the Jammu region, damaging roads, homes, and other structures. Two people, including a minor, were swept away by the strong currents in the Rajouri-Poonch belt.
Officials said over 100 people have been relocated from flood-affected areas to safer locations in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch. The downpour has disrupted daily life, with floodwaters entering homes and vehicular traffic coming to a halt. Farmers have also reported extensive damage to crops and agricultural land.
In Rajouri district’s Mubarakhpura village, 20-year-old Atif Shah was swept away while crossing a river. A massive search operation is underway, but he remains missing. Similarly, eight-year-old Asia Kouser was washed away in a nallah in Bufliaz, Poonch district, and has not yet been found.
“Heavy rains have caused widespread disruption in Poonch. Rivers and streams, including the Pulis river and Betaar nallah, are in spate,” an official said. Three houses along the Betaar nallah were washed away, while flash floods damaged two houses and a school in other parts of the district. Another house was affected by a landslide.
“While there has been no reported loss of life so far, property damage is significant. Rescue teams are evacuating residents from vulnerable areas. The Jammu and Kashmir Police and district administration have urged people to stay away from rivers and streams,” the official added.
Poonch Deputy Commissioner Ashok Kumar Sharma, who visited several affected areas, said authorities had issued a heavy rainfall advisory for the next 56 hours. “We have relocated families from houses at risk. The civil administration, police, PWD, and flood control department are monitoring the situation closely,” he said.
In Rajouri district, incessant rain triggered landslides in Panjnara village. Forty-eight people from 13 families were safely moved to PHC Panjnara, preventing any casualties. Officials, along with an SDRF team, assessed the damage and met displaced families.
Land subsidence has damaged 22 houses, forcing residents to evacuate, while the Suktoh and Sabto rivers in Rajouri are also in spate. In Ramban district, authorities issued a high-risk landslide alert for five areas, including Ramban, Rajgarh, Pogal-Paristan, Khari, and Banihal, advising citizens to avoid steep slopes and hill roads and follow official instructions.
Traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained suspended between Ramban and Banihal due to landslides and falling rocks caused by continuous heavy rainfall. Schools across the region were also closed.
In Reasi, Samba, and Kathua districts, rivers and nallahs, including the Chenab, Tawi, Ujh, and Basantar, were flowing rapidly, flooding low-lying areas. Kathua Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Sharma visited affected areas, assessed the damage, and directed authorities to restore damaged roads immediately.
Multiple landslides hit the Daggar area of Bani in Kathua district, blocking roads and forcing residents to commute on foot. A wall collapse at PHC Daggar damaged laboratories and testing equipment.
Following a recent cloudburst in Jodh Ghati, Kathua, which claimed seven lives and injured six others, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, along with senior National Conference leaders, visited the affected region. They inspected relief camps, met victims, and reviewed damage to infrastructure, including a washed-out bridge.
