NH-44, NH-244 closed; Chenab, Tawi, Ujh and other water bodies swell; search operations continue for missing persons; nearly 100 vehicles damaged in Rajouri
Jammu/Srinagar, July 22: At least five people were killed, several major roads closed and widespread damage reported across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday as incessant rainfall triggered flash floods, landslides and waterlogging, prompting authorities to intensify rescue and relief operations and issue fresh safety advisories.
Two people were killed after a Tempo Traveller was hit by falling stones at Gangroo in Ramban district, while three others lost their lives after being swept away by floodwaters in separate incidents in Bandipora and Budgam districts.
In Bandipora, the bodies of 14-year-old Amir Khatana, son of late Mehboob Khatana, and his mother were recovered from Guzarbal nallah after they were swept away by the flooded watercourse while attempting to retrieve firewood being carried downstream. In Budgam, a man identified as Shabir Ahmad Poswal of Drang was swept away by a flooded nallah. His body was later recovered by rescue teams.
HIGHWAYS CLOSED, TRAFFIC HIT
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) was closed to traffic from both sides after multiple landslides, mudslides and shooting stones were reported at nearly a dozen locations between Udhampur and Banihal. The 250-km highway is the principal all-weather road linking the Jammu region with Kashmir.
The Batote-Kishtwar National Highway (NH-244) was also temporarily closed due to heavy rainfall and landslides. Road clearance agencies have mobilised men and machinery to remove debris, while commuters have been advised not to undertake journeys on affected routes until the weather improves and the roads are declared safe.
The prolonged spell of rain has also damaged roads and bridges and disrupted power and water supplies in several areas. The Border Roads Organisation, under Project Sampark, has deployed personnel and machinery to restore connectivity at several locations in the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri. Its teams have been working round-the-clock to keep strategic roads open for security forces and the movement of essential supplies.
SEARCH OPERATIONS CONTINUE
A massive search operation entered its fourth day in Rajouri to trace Abdul Ghani, a Jal Shakti Department employee who went missing after floodwaters washed away a pumping station at Plangarh village in Thanamandi. Teams of the SDRF, NDRF, police and the Army are participating in the operation.
Search operations are also continuing in flood-hit areas of Poonch, where joint teams of the police and NDRF are combing riverbanks and nallahs despite difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions. Teams are searching both banks of the nallah between Bufliaz and Pradhan Ali in the Surankote area.
Officials said flash floods in Bufliaz had claimed eight lives and left five people missing. The wider Poonch-Rajouri region has witnessed multiple deaths and disappearances following torrential rains and flash floods since Sunday.
NEARLY 100 VEHICLES DAMAGED IN RAJOURI
Rajouri Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma said preliminary assessments indicated that nearly 100 vehicles had suffered extensive damage in the recent floods. Around 50 damaged vehicles have been recovered, while another 50, including passenger vehicles and heavy machinery, were washed away and are yet to be traced.
The administration has established 15 relief and lodging centres across the district, two of which are already operational. Minister for Jal Shakti Javed Ahmed Rana and Minister for Youth Services and Sports Satish Sharma visited Rajouri to review the flood situation and relief measures.
The ministers visited the Relief and Rehabilitation Centre at Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Rajouri, and interacted with families shifted there. They reviewed arrangements for accommodation, food, drinking water, healthcare and other essential services.
Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and Inspector General of Police Bhim Sen Tuti also visited flood-affected areas of Poonch, met bereaved families and reviewed restoration works. Officials were directed to expedite the restoration of essential services and provide timely relief and assistance to affected families.
RIVERS, NALLAHS IN SPATE
Authorities issued flood alerts as water levels in several rivers and streams crossed or touched critical thresholds.
The Chenab at Akhnoor crossed the danger mark during the afternoon, touching 35.8 feet against the danger level of 35 feet before receding to 35 feet by evening. The alert level is 32 feet and the evacuation level 42 feet.
The Tawi in Jammu also remained above the danger mark, prompting the NDRF to launch public awareness measures at vulnerable locations. NDRF personnel equipped with loudspeakers warned people against venturing near the river, stopping on bridges, parking vehicles along riverbanks and taking selfies near swollen waters.
The Ujh in Kathua continued to flow above its danger level of 20 feet, while Tarnah nallah reached its danger mark of 4.5 feet and the Basanter River in Samba touched its danger level of 4.6 feet.
In Kashmir, the Sheshnag nallah in Pahalgam’s Betaab Valley crossed the flood declaration mark, while the Lidder river also touched its flood declaration level. Water levels in the Arin and Madhumati nallahs in Bandipora have also risen sharply due to continuous rainfall.
Authorities have urged people, particularly those living near rivers and nallahs, to stay away from water bodies and strictly follow official advisories.
HEAVY RAIN FORECAST
The Meteorological Department recorded heavy rainfall at several places, with Bhawan recording 109 mm, Reasi 94.5 mm, Katra 91.4 mm, Jammu 47 mm, Ramban 43.5 mm, Banihal 37.2 mm and Rajouri 36 mm between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm.
Kathua recorded the highest rainfall of 153 mm during the 24 hours ending 8.30 am on Wednesday, followed by Samba with 133 mm and Udhampur with 112.6 mm.
The persistent cloud cover and rainfall also led to unusually low maximum temperatures. Srinagar recorded 20 degrees Celsius, nearly 10 degrees below normal, while Jammu settled at 24.8 degrees Celsius, around 8.7 degrees below normal. Katra recorded a maximum of 22.6 degrees Celsius, the lowest ever recorded there in July.
The MeT Department has forecast another spell of moderate to heavy rain and thundershowers, including brief intense showers, during Thursday morning and forenoon. Light to moderate rain and thundershowers are expected at scattered places from July 24 to 29.
The department has warned of flash floods, landslides, mudslides, rising water levels in rivers and local streams and waterlogging in low-lying areas over the next 24 to 48 hours.
All major pilgrimages, including the Shri Amarnath Yatra, Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra and Machail Mata Yatra, have remained suspended since Sunday in view of the adverse weather conditions.
Authorities have advised people to remain indoors unless necessary, avoid rivers, streams and landslide-prone areas, and refrain from unnecessary travel in flood-prone zones.
LG reviews relief efforts in flood affected areas
Srinagar, Jul 22 : Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday reviewed ongoing relief efforts in the districts hit by heavy rains, flash floods and landslides, and assessed the ground situation in affected areas.
“I spoke with senior officials today to assess the ground situation in districts affected by heavy rains, flash floods, and landslides across Jammu Kashmir,” the L-G said in a post on X.
He said during the review, he was briefed on ongoing relief efforts by district administrations, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, Army, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), besides health, public works and Jal Shakti departments.
“Directed teams to intensify rescue operations. Joint operations continue in Poonch and Rajouri and over 400 damaged roads in Jammu Division have already been restored,” he wrote on X.
The L-G instructed officials to position manpower and machinery at safe, strategic locations, and near vulnerable areas for immediate response and issued directions to issue timely advisories for citizens discouraging unnecessary travel in high-risk zones.
“I also spoke with DC Ramban regarding the tragic shooting stones incident in which two precious lives were lost. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family members and praying for the speedy recovery of those injured. I have directed the district administration to ensure the injured receive the best possible medical care and to provide all necessary support to the affected families during this difficult time,” he added.
