SRINAGAR, July 22: Jammu and Kashmir remained in the grip of relentless rainfall for the fourth straight day on Wednesday, as the death toll climbed to morethan 30 with five more fatalities reported from across the Union Territory. Flash floods and landslides continued to wreak havoc, prompting authorities to intensify rescue operations even as rivers and nallahs swelled to dangerous levels.
In Ramban district, two persons were killed when a Tempo Traveller was struck by shooting stones at Gangroo, officials said. In Bandipora, the bodies of 14-year-old Amir Khatana and his mother were recovered from Guzarbal nallah, hours after they were swept away while trying to retrieve firewood from the swollen water body. In Budgam, Shabir Ahmad Poswal of Drang lost his life after being washed away in a flooded nallah; his body was later retrieved.
The Chenab at Akhnoor crossed the danger mark, touching 35.8 feet against the danger level of 35 feet. The Lidder river and Sheshnag nallah also crossed flood declaration levels, triggering alerts in downstream areas. Authorities said the Arin and Madhumati nallahs in Bandipora have recorded a sharp rise in water levels over the past few days.
In Rajouri, a massive search operation continued for the fourth day to trace Abdul Ghani, a Jal Shakti Department employee who went missing after floodwaters washed away a pumping station at Plangarh in Thanamandi. SDRF, NDRF, police and Army teams are part of the operation.
Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Abhishek Sharma said nearly 100 vehicles suffered extensive damage in the floods. “About 50 damaged vehicles have been recovered, while another 50, including passenger vehicles and heavy machinery, were washed away and are yet to be traced,” he said.
Fifteen relief centres have been set up across the district. Around 230 people have been rescued and evacuated, with approximately 450 currently staying at relief camps. Sharma said schools will reopen only after safety audits, citing the continued risk of landslides. The administration has also barred commercial use of building basements in vulnerable low-lying areas.
In Poonch’s Samote area, near Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Surankote, at least 10 residential houses developed cracks due to land sinking and heavy rainfall. The affected families, including those of Abdul Hamid, Fakhar Hussain and Mohd Aslam, were evacuated. Around 50-60 family members were shifted to safer locations by police, SDRF and SOG teams. The local middle school also sustained damage.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited Beerwah in Budgam to assess the damage and meet affected traders. He assured shopkeepers that those with due authorisation would be given priority in relief measures. Responding to a request for temporary accommodation at the nearby Municipal Complex, the CM said the decision would hinge on a structural safety audit by the Roads and Buildings Department.
“Any decision on using the complex will depend on a structural safety audit. If R&B certifies the Municipal Complex as safe, the government will consider the proposal to temporarily house the affected shopkeepers there,” Omar Abdullah said.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reviewed the ground situation and directed agencies to step up rescue efforts. “Joint rescue efforts are continuing in Poonch and Rajouri. More than 400 damaged roads in the Jammu division have already been restored,” he said on X. Sinha expressed condolences over the Ramban tragedy and directed officials to ensure the injured receive the best medical care.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, who toured Rajouri and Poonch, said the situation is being monitored at the highest level. “An hourly review of the situation is being submitted,” he said.
In Kashmir, Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg reviewed flood protection measures and said decisions on the Amarnath Yatra would be taken strictly in line with IMD advisories.
The day saw unusually low maximum temperatures across the Valley. Srinagar recorded 20 degrees Celsius, nearly 10 degrees below normal, while Jammu settled at 24.8 degrees, around 8.7 degrees below normal. Katra recorded 22.6 degrees, the lowest ever for July, with the minimum and maximum differing by just 1.6 degrees.
The MeT department recorded heavy rainfall between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm: Bhawan (SMVD) 109 mm, Reasi 94.5 mm, Katra 91.4 mm, Jammu 47 mm, Ramban 43.5 mm, Banihal 37.2 mm, Rajouri 36 mm, Gulmarg 35 mm, Qazigund 33.2 mm, Kokernag 32.2 mm and Baramulla 30 mm.
The department has forecast another spell of heavy rain and thundershowers on Thursday morning, with scattered showers expected from July 24 to 29. It warned of flash floods, landslides, mudslides and a rise in water levels in rivers and streams over the next 24 to 48 hours, and advised people to remain alert.
In Budgam, authorities issued an advisory for residents along the Doodganga River, asking them to stay away from the river and move to safer places if required. “People are urged to extend full cooperation to the administration to ensure public safety,” an official spokesperson said.
All educational institutes will remain closed till July 26, while most pilgrimages, including the Amarnath Yatra, also remain suspended. The administration has urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel in high-risk zones and follow official advisories.
Comments are closed.