Jammu, June 25: Nine people were rescued from the swollen Tawi River on Wednesday morning in a joint operation by the police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local volunteers after heavy rainfall caused a sudden surge in water levels across Jammu and Kashmir.
Among those rescued was Madan Lal, a 52-year-old labourer trapped near the Jewel Chowk bridge while extracting sand. He was pulled to safety after a two-hour ordeal, officials said. Eight others, including pilgrims performing ‘Pind Daan’, were also saved during coordinated rescue efforts.
Several horses caught in the riverbed were rescued as well.
Meanwhile, landslides caused by early morning downpours disrupted traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway near Mehad and the T2 tunnel in Ramban, halting movement from both directions for over three hours. Traffic resumed after road clearance agencies removed debris.
In Rajouri district, an overflowing stream created flood-like conditions in Kheora, Lower Jawahar Nagar, and Thudi. A few parked vehicles were swept away by the torrent.
According to the Meteorological Department, Katra recorded the highest rainfall at 108.5 mm in the past 24 hours, followed by Rajouri (80 mm), Udhampur (71.4 mm), Poonch (48 mm), and Ramban (47.5 mm). The department has forecast light to moderate rain, with heavy spells likely in parts of Jammu division until June 27.
