Srinagar, July 20: A mother and her two minor children were among seven persons feared dead after a massive flash flood and landslide struck Domail Dhok Nandichool in the Loran area of Poonch district on Monday, officials said, as two days of relentless rain pushed the death toll in the Jammu region to 26.
The family of Mohd Rafiq, a resident of Lopadi, Loran, lost three members—his wife Zaida Begum (35), and their two children Adnan Rafiq (4) and Irzaa (2)—after their house was buried under debris, they said. The family is in a state of shock, with neighbours and relatives gathering at the site as rescue teams worked to retrieve the bodies.
Four others—Shamim Akhter, wife of Rayaz Ahmad; Tanvir (22), son of Ghulam Mohammad; Irfan (22), son of Subhan Dar; and Sabina (30), wife of Abdul Majid—are also feared dead in the same incident, officials added.
Three bodies have been recovered so far and retrieval operations are underway to trace the remaining victims, officials said, adding that police, civil administration and locals are on the spot engaged in relief and rescue work.
Earlier in the day, two persons were killed in a landslide in Doda district, taking the total death toll in the region to 26.
Heavy rains triggered flash floods and landslides across Poonch and Rajouri districts on Sunday, leaving 17 people dead and several others injured, officials said, adding that rescue and search operations continued through the day.
SDM Surankote Farooq Khan said 15 casualties were feared in Surankote area. “Seven bodies were recovered and eight persons are missing. Rescue and search operations are continuing to trace the missing,” he told Kashmir Convener.
In Poonch, officials confirmed one death so far, with multiple incidents reported across the district. At Murrah, eight persons were affected, with two bodies retrieved and six yet to be recovered. In Sangla, four persons were affected and two bodies recovered. One body each was recovered from Sangalani and Marhote, while one person is missing from Dogrian Buffliaz.
At Noona Bandi, Nazia Kouser died and four injured were shifted to District Hospital Poonch for treatment, officials added.
With one death each reported from Poonch and Rajouri outside Surankote, the total toll in the Jammu region due to flash floods has risen to 17. However, officials later confirmed that with the two deaths in Doda and seven feared dead in Poonch, the toll has climbed to 26.
The Indian Army’s White Knight Corps, in coordination with J&K Police, SDRF and civil administration, rescued 11 civilians, including five children, in Rajouri, officials said. Nine people were evacuated from a flooded nala near Churung in Thanamandi, while two youths were rescued from a river island in Naushera Tawi near Dhangri, they added.
In Poonch, troops of Romeo Force 39 RR along with SDRF and Police rescued six civilians from SK Bridge and Dalera. All were shifted to Government Hospital Poonch for medical evaluation.
Officials said the water level in Poonch River has receded and the situation is under control compared to the morning. Evacuation of stranded families and clearance of blocked roads are underway, they added.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department on Monday issued a Red Alert for parts of Jammu and Kashmir, warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides and overflowing rivers over the next three days.
Director of the Meteorological Department, Mukhtar Ahmad, said an advisory had already been issued as weather activity intensified across the Union Territory, with the Pir Panjal range in the Jammu division expected to receive the heaviest rainfall.
“We have already issued an advisory regarding the current weather conditions and the increasing weather activity. Heavy rainfall and, at some places, very heavy rainfall are expected, especially in the Pir Panjal range of the Jammu division,” Mukhtar Ahmad said.
He said the Kashmir Valley also witnessed a heavy shower early Monday morning and more rainfall was expected over the coming days. According to Ahmad, the Valley is likely to witness moderate to heavy showers on Tuesday, particularly during the early morning and morning hours. In the Jammu division, heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is forecast during the same period.
“There are chances of heavy to, at some places, extremely heavy rainfall,” Ahmad said. He said rainfall activity would remain intense through Tuesday and Wednesday, with South Kashmir and adjoining areas likely to receive moderate to heavy showers.
Warning of possible weather-related disasters, Ahmad said intense rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying areas within a short period, besides increasing the risk of flash floods, overflowing rivers, landslides and mudslides, particularly in hilly districts.
“Such weather activity can trigger flooding in low-lying areas within a very short period. There are high chances of flash floods and rivers overflowing,” he said.
He urged tourists, transporters and residents to exercise caution and strictly follow official advisories issued by the administration. “There are also high chances of landslides and mudslides in many districts, especially in hilly areas. Therefore, people need to exercise extreme caution to avoid any untoward incidents,” Ahmad said.
The MeT Director also advised farmers to suspend irrigation and related agricultural activities for the next three to four days. He said continuous rainfall over the past 48 hours had prompted the issuance of a Red Alert for some districts, while an Orange Alert had been issued for South Kashmir, adjoining areas and parts of North Kashmir.
“Overall, the weather will remain adverse across both the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu division until July 23, after which conditions are likely to subside,” Ahmad said.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra remained suspended for the second consecutive day on Monday as a precautionary measure amid persistent heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions in the region. The pilgrimage has been temporarily halted in view of the prevailing weather conditions to ensure the safety of devotees. The region has been witnessing continuous heavy rainfall for the past couple of days, raising concerns over landslides and other rain-related hazards along the pilgrimage routes.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and the pilgrimage is expected to resume once weather conditions improve and the routes are considered safe for the movement of pilgrims.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has announced an ex gratia relief of Rs 6 lakh for the next of kin of each person who lost their life in the rain-related incidents in Rajouri and Poonch districts, as an immediate measure to support the bereaved families.
Expressing profound grief over the tragic loss of lives caused by the flash floods, landslides and other rain-related incidents, the Chief Minister said that while no amount of financial assistance can compensate for the irreparable loss suffered by the affected families, the Government stands firmly with them during this difficult time.
“While no amount of financial assistance can ever compensate for the irreparable loss of life caused by yesterday’s flash floods, landslides and other rain-related incidents in Poonch and Rajouri, an ex gratia relief of Rs 6 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased as an immediate measure of support for the bereaved families,” the Chief Minister said.
The relief package comprises Rs 4 lakh from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and an additional Rs 2 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF).
The announcement follows the high-level review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister on Sunday evening in the aftermath of the devastating flash floods and other rain-related incidents that struck the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch, resulting in multiple fatalities and widespread damage to public and private property.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed the administration to ensure immediate relief and rehabilitation of the affected families, stressing that all possible assistance should reach them without delay. He also underscored the need for coordinated efforts by all concerned departments to restore essential services and expedite relief measures in the affected areas.
Speaking to Kashmir Convener, an independent weather forecaster Faizan Altaf said a significant surge of monsoon moisture is expected to reach Jammu and Kashmir from tonight onwards. While the recent spells have largely been driven by monsoon winds alone, an approaching Western Disturbance will now interact with the monsoon flow, pushing abundant moisture deep into the Kashmir region and enhancing rainfall intensity across the Union Territory.
He said the most intense weather activity is expected over the next 48 hours, although intermittent showers are likely to continue on Thursday and during the following days as well.
Observations over the past few days indicate that even with comparatively lower moisture availability, both Jammu and Kashmir have witnessed short-duration but highly intense rainfall spells. Since much of the UT remained largely dry during the daytime today, atmospheric instability has increased once again. Higher daytime temperatures have also enhanced moisture-holding capacity, creating a more favourable environment for intense thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.
The weather forecaster said that Jammu region is expected to witness heavy to extremely heavy rainfall during this period. Intense spells can trigger flash floods, and landslides in many areas.
He said the forecast rainfall is substantial enough to suggest a high probability of water levels crossing Flood Alert Marks at several locations. Smaller streams and nallahs could overflow, while major rivers are expected to witness a rapid rise in water levels. Some rivers may even approach or cross their Danger Mark, depending on where the heaviest rainfall occurs.
A more precise assessment of flood severity will only be possible through continuous hourly monitoring of rainfall distribution and river responses.
Forecast models broadly agree that rainfall in Kashmir will be more intense than the usual light to moderate showers. Instead of scattered weak rainfall, several areas may experience prolonged heavy showers lasting for hours without significant breaks.
Overall, widespread moderate to heavy rainfall is expected across the Valley, with isolated locations receiving very heavy rainfall.
He said the risk of flash floods is very high, particularly in vulnerable hilly and mountainous areas. Localized cloudburst events also cannot be ruled out.
Rivers and tributaries such as the Lidder and Vishow Nallah are expected to respond quickly to intense rainfall, with a sharp rise in water levels. Whether these rivers cross their official flood declaration levels will depend on where the heaviest precipitation becomes concentrated. At present, forecast models differ on whether the maximum rainfall will occur over South, Central, or North Kashmir. Therefore, the situation warrants high vigilance and continuous monitoring.
The Jhelum is also expected to witness a significant rise in water level. Although current levels remain relatively low, persistent heavy rainfall can alter the situation rapidly within 24 hours. There is a chance that water levels may approach the Flood Alert Level, but whether they progress further will depend entirely on the spatial distribution and intensity of rainfall.
It is also important to note that reaching the Flood Declaration Level does not automatically mean floodwaters will inundate residential areas. The Jhelum crossed these levels last September without widespread urban flooding. Such levels primarily indicate the need for heightened monitoring and preparedness.
He said landslides and shooting stones: The risk will remain extremely high on mountain roads and vulnerable slopes. Avoid unnecessary travel through hilly terrain, mountain passes, and landslide-prone stretches.
Flash floods and cloudbursts: Conditions remain highly favourable for both. People living near streams, nallahs, and low-lying areas should remain alert.
Lightning: Frequent thunderstorms may produce dangerous lightning. Avoid standing under isolated trees, near electric poles, towers, or other tall objects during thunderstorms he further aadded.
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