NEW DELHI: Flash floods and landslides triggered by torrential rain caused widespread devastation across Jammu and Kashmir’s border districts of Poonch and Rajouri on Sunday, with rescue teams racing to reach stranded residents as the weather emergency deepened. Officials said the death toll from the rain-related disasters has risen to 11, while several people remain missing.The worst damage was reported from Surankote tehsil in Poonch district, where multiple cloudbursts, landslides and flash floods swept through villages, damaging homes and cutting off roads.Dramatic visuals from the affected areas showed vehicles being swept away by raging floodwaters, piles of mangled cars, homes collapsing under the force of the floods, and residents stranded as overflowing rivers inundated entire neighbourhoods.Multi-agency rescue teams, including the army, police, national disaster response force and state disaster response force, have been deployed to trace the missing and evacuate affected families.Union home minister Amit Shah reviewed the situation with Lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha and chief minister Omar Abdullah, assuring all possible assistance from the Centre.”Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah spoke with the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha, and Chief Minister Shri Omar Abdullah regarding the situation caused by heavy rainfall and assured them of all possible assistance from the Central Government,” Shah’s office said in a post on X.Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the administration’s immediate priority was to save lives.”Since first light this morning, I’ve been closely monitoring the situation arising from the extremely heavy rain… the first priority of the administration is to safeguard precious lives,” Abdullah said on X.”The government will do everything possible to aid & assist affected people who have suffered property loss/damage due to the rains & flash floods,” he added.In Rajouri, rescue teams pulled two stranded people to safety from the Muradpur area after flash floods caused water levels to rise rapidly.Deputy commissioner Abhishek Sharma told news agency PTI, “Two persons were safely rescued from the river at Muradpur, Rajouri, after they became stranded due to the flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall.”Authorities have urged residents to stay away from rivers and other flood-prone areas as water levels remain dangerously high.Continuous rain since Saturday has triggered multiple cloudbursts and flash floods, washing away several structures along the Poonch River and damaging key infrastructure, with rescue and relief operations continuing across the worst-hit districts.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTrump Administration Tightens F-1 Visa Rules; 4-Year Stay Limit, Shorter Grace PeriodRahul Gandhi, Kharge Seek Independent Probe Into Ram Mandir Donation Theft AllegationsSonam Wangchuk Terms Hospital Stay ‘Illegal Detention’, Calls July 20 Parliament MarchIndia Launches ‘White Rabbit’ Precision Timing Network To Secure Indian Standard TimeIndia Raises Cross-Border Terror Concerns At US Ministerial Meet; Stresses Zero ToleranceAIIMS Expert Recommends Urgent Care; Sonam Wangchuk Shifted To Safdarjung HospitalJantar Mantar Ground Report: What’s Happening at CJP Protest Site After Sonam Wangchuk’s Removal?’Police Beat Us, Dragged Sonam Sir Away Like a Sack’: Eyewitnesses Describe How Wangchuk Was RemovedMHA Replaces Delhi Police Chief, Hours Later Sonam Wangchuk ‘Forcefully Removed’ From Jantar MantarDMK’s ‘Not Yet’ on Delimitation Bill Boosts NDA Hope for Two-Thirds Majority In Lok Sabha | Stalin123PhotostoriesInside Prince Narula and Yuvika Chaudhary’s lavish Mumbai home: A dreamy walk-in wardrobe, stunning balcony views and moreFrom Homer’s Greek classic to Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’: Key differences between the book and movie’I can be a CEO and a mother’: 7 times Priyanka Chopra said exactly what every Indian woman needed to hear11 Indian breads ranked from healthiest to least healthy10 largest birds in India and where to see themWhy are chocolate bars divided into little squares? The clever reason behind a design we rarely questionTwo seeds that can boost hair growth instantlyThink cataracts only happen after 60? Doctor warns that diabetes is making this eye condition appear decades earlierWhen words wound: Five phrases in a relationship that quietly kill new love”I have replaced rice with…”: National award winner Yam Gautam enjoys this fiber-rich seed for lunch and dinner; 8 ways you can enjoy it too123Hot PicksFIFA World Cup LiveNITI AayogSonam Wangchuk educationAIBE XXI resultAbhijeet DipkeAMRUT 2.0 water projectISRO scientists resignMahadev betting appSkyroot AerospaceTop TrendingErling HaalandJude BellinghamFIFA World Cup 2026Chhattisgarh MurderSonam WangchukAndhra Pradesh Covid 19 DeathLawrence Bishnoi GangIshowspeedAbhishek BanerjeeIran war
NEW DELHI: Flash floods and landslides triggered by torrential rain caused widespread devastation across Jammu and Kashmir’s border districts of Poonch and Rajouri on Sunday, with rescue teams racing to reach stranded residents as the weather emergency deepened. Officials said the death toll from the rain-related disasters has risen to 11, while several people remain missing.The worst damage was reported from Surankote tehsil in Poonch district, where multiple cloudbursts, landslides and flash floods swept through villages, damaging homes and cutting off roads.Dramatic visuals from the affected areas showed vehicles being swept away by raging floodwaters, piles of mangled cars, homes collapsing under the force of the floods, and residents stranded as overflowing rivers inundated entire neighbourhoods.Multi-agency rescue teams, including the army, police, national disaster response force and state disaster response force, have been deployed to trace the missing and evacuate affected families.Union home minister Amit Shah reviewed the situation with Lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha and chief minister Omar Abdullah, assuring all possible assistance from the Centre.“Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah spoke with the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha, and Chief Minister Shri Omar Abdullah regarding the situation caused by heavy rainfall and assured them of all possible assistance from the Central Government,” Shah’s office said in a post on X.Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the administration’s immediate priority was to save lives.“Since first light this morning, I’ve been closely monitoring the situation arising from the extremely heavy rain… the first priority of the administration is to safeguard precious lives,” Abdullah said on X.“The government will do everything possible to aid & assist affected people who have suffered property loss/damage due to the rains & flash floods,” he added.In Rajouri, rescue teams pulled two stranded people to safety from the Muradpur area after flash floods caused water levels to rise rapidly.Deputy commissioner Abhishek Sharma told news agency PTI, “Two persons were safely rescued from the river at Muradpur, Rajouri, after they became stranded due to the flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall.”Authorities have urged residents to stay away from rivers and other flood-prone areas as water levels remain dangerously high.Continuous rain since Saturday has triggered multiple cloudbursts and flash floods, washing away several structures along the Poonch River and damaging key infrastructure, with rescue and relief operations continuing across the worst-hit districts.
