Rajouri, August 8: Flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall have caused extensive damage to agricultural land and standing crops in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, leaving farming families facing heavy losses.
The latest damage has been reported from villages including Saaj, Plangher and Mehra, where swollen streams and sudden surges of water have eroded fertile land and swept away crops, livestock enclosures and other property.
In Saaj, local residents said around 25 to 30 households have lost portions of their agricultural land after floodwaters tore through fields. Paddy and maize crops, which are important sources of livelihood for local families, have been badly affected.
Residents said the damage followed heavy rainfall on July 19, when flash floods caused streams to swell rapidly. The force of the water eroded soil along riverbanks and damaged farmland in several locations.
Mehra village has suffered further losses following another spell of flooding. Nearly 50 kanals of fertile agricultural land were reportedly washed away as the course of a river changed. Around 30 to 40 families are said to have been affected by the destruction.
Farmers have described the losses as particularly serious because much of the damaged land was being used to grow seasonal crops. Some families have also lost livestock shelters and other assets, adding to the economic pressure created by the floods.
Local residents have appealed to the administration to conduct an immediate assessment of the damage and provide compensation and rehabilitation support. Some villagers have also expressed concern that smaller and remote settlements are not receiving the same attention as areas that suffered larger-scale destruction.
The latest damage comes as Rajouri continues to recover from severe flash floods and landslides that struck parts of the Pir Panjal region last month. The disaster caused widespread damage to homes, roads, agricultural land and other infrastructure, with significant loss of life reported in Rajouri and neighbouring Poonch.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recently visited flood-hit areas of Rajouri and reviewed relief, restoration and rehabilitation measures. He directed officials to speed up restoration work and strengthen rehabilitation efforts, while also calling for long-term measures to protect vulnerable areas from future floods.
For farmers in the affected villages, however, the immediate concern remains the loss of productive land and crops. With agricultural fields washed away or severely eroded, many families now face uncertainty over their next harvest and livelihood.
Authorities are expected to assess the extent of the agricultural damage and determine the assistance required for affected families as relief and rehabilitation work continues across the district.
