Jammu Tawi, July 10: A12-year-old girl lost her life while several others had a narrow escape as heavy rain triggered landslides and flash floods in parts of Jammu province on Thursday, severely impacting road and rail connectivity and prompting emergency rescue efforts.
The tragic incident occurred in the mountainous Chak Bonalla area of Mendhar tehsil in Poonch district, close to the Line of Control (LoC), where a landslide killed Afiya Kousar, officials said.
In a separate incident in the Loran area of Poonch, a sudden flash flood struck a seasonal stream near Suman Mohalla, Bela Bala, around 6 pm on Wednesday. The flood endangered both locals and tourists in the area. Responding swiftly, rescue teams from the Indian Army’s Loran Company, in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Police Force (JKPF), launched a coordinated operation and managed to evacuate approximately 20 stranded civilians and tourists safely.
The flash flood had cut off road connectivity between Loran and Bela Bala. With the assistance of a JCB machine, debris was cleared to restore access and enable relief operations to continue late into the night.
The operation underscored the preparedness and humanitarian commitment of the Indian Army and JKPF, who ensured the safety, comfort, and well-being of those affected.
Meanwhile, rail services were also hit due to a landslide in the Lakhanpur area of Kathua district. The engine of a goods train en route from Jammu to Punjab derailed around 7 am after debris from the landslide inundated the tracks.
The derailment halted rail traffic for over two hours and delayed five passenger trains, which were stopped at Pathankot and Sujanpur in Punjab. Railway officials swiftly reached the spot with equipment, cleared the tracks, and restored services by 9:30 am. However, trains continued to run late on this route.
Heavy rain also washed away the Lakhanpur–Jagatpur link road in Kathua, adding to the disruption.
Amid the worsening weather conditions, the J&K Union Territory Disaster Management Authority (JKUTDMA) issued a warning for intense rain and gusty winds across several districts, including Kupwara, Handwara, Baramulla, Gulmarg, Uri, Bandipora hills, Budgam, Ganderbal, Srinagar, South Kashmir, Poonch, the Pir Panjal region, Chenab Valley, and Jammu hills.
The authorities cautioned against travelling and boating during the next 2–3 hours and highlighted the heightened risk of landslides. Residents have been advised to stay alert and dial 112 in case of emergencies.
