At least 11 people have lost their lives and several others remain missing after torrential rains triggered landslides and flash floods across the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, July 19. The heavy downpour caused widespread devastation, sweeping away homes, damaging roads and bridges, and disrupting normal life across several villages.
The worst-hit areas were in Poonch's Surankote subdivision, where overflowing streams and landslides buried houses under debris. Rescue teams recovered multiple bodies from collapsed structures, while search operations continued for those feared trapped or washed away by the floodwaters. In Rajouri, several villages were cut off after roads were blocked by landslides, making rescue efforts more challenging.
Officials said continuous rainfall caused rivers and seasonal streams to swell rapidly, leading to sudden flash floods that caught many residents off guard. Dozens of families were forced to leave their homes and move to safer locations as floodwaters entered residential areas. Several vehicles were swept away, while electricity and communication services were disrupted in parts of the affected districts.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration launched a massive rescue and relief operation with personnel from the police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army and local volunteers. Rescue teams used heavy machinery to clear debris and reopen blocked roads while searching for missing persons. Temporary relief camps have also been established to shelter displaced families.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah returned to Jammu to monitor the situation and directed officials to ensure immediate assistance for affected residents. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also reviewed the situation and instructed all concerned departments to speed up rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Authorities have assured compensation for the families of those killed and support for people whose homes and property were damaged.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more rainfall in parts of Jammu and Kashmir over the next 24 hours, prompting authorities to issue advisories urging people to avoid travel in landslide-prone areas and stay away from overflowing rivers and streams. With rescue operations continuing and several people still unaccounted for, officials fear the death toll could rise as teams gain access to remote villages affected by the disaster.
