SRINAGAR: At least 17 people were killed in flash floods and landslides triggered by incessant rain across the Jammu region on Sunday, while rescue teams continued searching for those still missing in the worst-hit Surankote area of Poonch district.
Officials said Surankote bore the brunt of the disaster after cloudbursts and heavy rainfall triggered flash floods, washing away people and damaging infrastructure.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Surankote, Farooq Khan, said rescue operations were continuing to trace eight missing persons.
“Seven bodies have been recovered so far, while eight persons are still missing. Search and rescue operations are underway,” Khan said.
Teams of the Police, SDRF, Civil Defence, Army and local volunteers remained engaged in rescue operations throughout the day, while efforts were also underway to evacuate stranded families and restore road connectivity in the affected areas.
Poonch Worst Hit
Officials said several flood-related incidents were reported from different parts of Poonch district.
In Murrah village, eight persons were affected, of whom two bodies have been recovered while six remain missing. Two bodies were also recovered from Sangla, while one body each was recovered from Sangalani and Marhote.
One person was reported missing from Dogrian Buffliaz.
In Noona Bandi, Nazia Kouser lost her life while four injured persons were shifted to District Hospital Poonch for treatment.
Authorities said the overall death toll from the floods and landslides across the Jammu region has risen to 17, including fatalities reported from Poonch, Surankote and Rajouri.
Army, SDRF Rescue 17 Civilians
The Indian Army’s White Knight Corps, in coordination with the J&K Police, SDRF and the civil administration, rescued 17 civilians from flood-hit areas in Poonch and Rajouri.
In Rajouri district, rescue teams evacuated 11 people, including five children. Nine civilians were rescued from a flooded stream near Churung in Thanamandi, while two youths stranded on a river island in the Tawi near Dhangri in Nowshera were brought to safety.
In neighbouring Poonch, Army personnel of Romeo Force, along with SDRF and Police teams, rescued six civilians from the SK Bridge and Dalera areas. All were shifted to Government Hospital Poonch for medical examination.
Officials said the water level in the Poonch River had receded by evening and the situation was more stable compared to the morning hours.
BGSBU Postpones Examinations
In view of the prevailing weather conditions and flood situation, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU), Rajouri, postponed all examinations scheduled till July 24.
Centre, J&K Government Review Situation
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and assured all possible assistance from the Centre for rescue and relief operations.
The Lieutenant Governor said the administration was working on a war footing to provide relief to affected families and directed officials to ensure immediate assistance, restoration of essential services and proper medical care for the injured.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he was in constant touch with the district administrations of Poonch and Rajouri and was closely monitoring the situation.
“Every possible effort is being made to save lives and provide relief. People should stay away from rivers, nallahs and vulnerable areas and strictly follow the advisories issued by the administration,” he said.
The administration has urged residents to remain alert as the Meteorological Department has forecast continued adverse weather over the next few days.
