J&K Flash Floods: Death Toll Rises To 27 As Rescue Operations Intensify; BJP Delegation Visits Affected Areas

J&K: As relentless severe rainfall continues to trigger severe flash floods and landslides across the region, widespread devastation and a mounting death toll have left Jammu and Kashmir rocked. The death toll has increased to 27 as the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri experience nature's fury.

Flash floods caused by relentless overnight rainfall wreaked havoc in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, on Sunday, after the Rajouri River overflowed, inundating low-lying areas including Madina Colony.

According to sources, Poonch has reported 22 fatalities, while 3 deaths have been confirmed in neighbouring Rajouri and 2 in Doda.

The sudden inundation damaged public and private property, with floodwaters submerging key areas including the new bus stand and sweeping away several vehicles.

The Dara Sangla area in Poonch witnessed severe destruction, where over 20 houses were completely washed away by raging floodwaters. 

The sudden loss of infrastructure has severely disrupted lives, forcing stranded residents to use temporary bridges to re-establish crucial community connectivity. 

The region has suffered massive damage to both public and private property, altering the local landscape overnight. A seven-member Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation is expected to visit the flood-affected border district of Poonch.

Led by the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the J&K Assembly, Sunil Sharma, the delegation held extensive emergency meetings with residents and administrative officials in the heavily affected Surankote area.

The primary objective of this visit is to evaluate the ground reality, review active relief measures, and compile a comprehensive situational assessment.

The seven-member panel is expected to submit a detailed report directly to the central party leadership to expedite further assistance and rehabilitation packages.

In the Doda district, heavy flash floods have wreaked havoc in the Ragi Nallah area following intense, unyielding rainfall. The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Doda confirmed that emergency response teams have been immediately deployed.

On Sunday, Jammu and Kashmir Police in Ramban appealed to the public to stay away from the banks of the Chenab River after the opening of the gates of the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project Dam led to a rise in the river's water level.

In an advisory, Ramban Police urged people not to venture near the river and to follow safety instructions issued by the authorities.

At least seven people died after a cloudburst triggered flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir's Surankote area of Poonch district, while rescue teams comprising the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) continued search operations for the missing on Sunday amid heavy rain across the Union Territory.

As the rain-related emergency unfolded, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu to review the situation arising from incessant rainfall, flash floods and landslides in Poonch and Rajouri districts, besides assessing the administration's preparedness across Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting reviewed the prevailing weather situation, the impact of heavy rainfall and the steps being taken by various departments to ensure public safety, restore essential services and provide relief to affected families.

At the outset, the Chief Minister expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the flash floods and assured all possible assistance for relief, rehabilitation and restoration.

Comprehensive rescue operations have begun, and specialised personnel are working aggressively to clear the debris, rescue any trapped passengers, and restore safe transit through the affected corridor.

As weather forecasting agencies warn of continued atmospheric instability, the entire J&K administration remains on high alert.