Jammu, July 20: Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of comprehensive support from the central government. Severe flooding in the Poonch and Rajouri districts has caused extensive devastation, resulting in ten fatalities and several individuals reported missing.
Officials indicated that it may take several days to assess the actual death toll and the full extent of damage to homes and both private and public infrastructure. The Lower Murra area in Surankote, Poonch district, has been particularly hard-hit, with floodwaters and landslide debris inundating residential areas, trapping families and collapsing homes.
Reports indicate that nine fatalities occurred in Surankote, including six members from a single family, while one person died in the Haveli tehsil of Poonch. There are fears that many individuals may still be trapped under the rubble.
Rescue teams comprising police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), civil administration, and local volunteers have been conducting extensive search and rescue operations despite intermittent rains and challenging terrain. Heavy machinery has been deployed to restore access to affected villages and clear debris.
The heavy rainfall has caused widespread damage to roads, bridges, residential buildings, vehicles, and other public infrastructure in Poonch and neighboring Rajouri districts. At least seven houses were reported damaged in Haveli tehsil, with additional property losses reported in Mandi and other areas. Landslides have blocked several roads, disrupting communication.
District officials have mobilized relief teams to assist affected families in reaching safe locations. Residents living near rivers, streams, and potential landslide-prone slopes have been advised to remain indoors until weather conditions improve.
Rescue and relief operations continue amid sporadic rainfall in the affected areas. Authorities are closely monitoring sensitive regions due to the forecast of additional rainfall. The meteorological department has predicted widespread rain in Jammu and Kashmir over the next five days, with warnings of heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds, particularly in the Jammu division.
The risk of flash floods, landslides, mudslides, rockfalls, and waterlogging remains in sensitive areas until July 23.
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