NEW DELHI: At least four people were killed and dozens others got injured in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri and Poonch districts as flash floods inundated several areas, washed away vehicles and submerged houses.
Authorities informed that at least three bodies have been recovered in Surankote after landslides, flash floods, and torrential rainfall, while several people remain unaccounted for, IANS reported.
In Poonch’s Haveli area, seven houses have been damaged. One person died and another is said to be in critical condition.
Flash floods inundated Rajouri town on early Sunday (July 19), with authorities shifting those in low-lying areas to safer places. Many vehicles were believed to be either washed away or submerged in the flood.
“I spoke to the senior officials and reviewed the situation in Rajouri and Poonch affected by incessant rain and flash floods. In Rajouri, rescue teams from the civil administration, police, army, SDRF, and local volunteers are actively working on the ground. Affected families have already been moved to safety. All departments are on high alert, and they are prioritizing immediate relief and repair work. I urge residents to stay calm and follow official updates,” Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha wrote on X.
He stated that he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives in Rajouri and Poonch’s Haveli and Surankote areas. “My heart goes out to the grieving families. The heavy rains have also damaged several homes across Rajouri and Poonch. I have directed officials to provide immediate aid to all affected families in both districts and ensured that emergency teams remain fully prepared for any situation,” the L-G added.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is reaching Jammu from Delhi after the worsening flood situation in Poonch and Rajouri. - The Statesman/ANN
