Jammu/Srinagar – At least eight people were killed and six others went missing as torrential rain triggered flash floods and landslides across the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri on Sunday, forcing authorities to launch massive rescue operations and suspend the Amarnath, Mata Vaishno Devi and Shiv Khori pilgrimages amid forecasts of more heavy rain.
The worst devastation was reported from Surankote in Poonch district, where entire houses were flattened by landslides and floodwaters swept through villages, while overflowing rivers inundated low-lying areas in Rajouri, damaging homes, roads and public infrastructure.
With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting widespread rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir till July 23, authorities halted all three major pilgrimages as a precaution and urged devotees to postpone travel.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who was in New Delhi for the National Conference’s proposed protest seeking restoration of statehood, cut short his visit and announced his return to Jammu to personally monitor the situation.
“In light of the weather warning… I will leave Delhi to fly to Jammu this afternoon to personally monitor the situation on the ground,” Abdullah said in a post on X.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reviewed the situation with senior officials and directed the administration to ensure immediate rescue, relief and assistance to affected families.
The highest casualties were reported from Lower Murrah village in Surankote, where a landslide triggered by incessant overnight rain buried a house with eight occupants inside.
Rescue teams recovered the bodies of 60-year-old Bano Bi and two-year-old Sofian Yasar, while search operations continued for six missing family members, including a woman and four children.
In another tragedy, 28-year-old Nazia Kousar died after her house collapsed in Noonabandi village. Her husband, Mohammad Hafiz, and their three children, aged between two and six years, were rescued with injuries and admitted to hospital.
Twenty-two-year-old Shahzaib Ahmad was killed when his house collapsed at Sanglani in Surankote, while a minor girl, Iram, drowned in a swollen stream at Marhote.
An unidentified woman’s body was recovered from a stream near Dhundak Lathoong bridge, while another woman died in Haveli tehsil after several houses collapsed due to incessant rain.
In neighbouring Rajouri district, flash floods inundated large parts of Rajouri town after rivers overflowed, forcing hundreds of residents to move to safer locations.
Dozens of vehicles were swept away or submerged as floodwaters breached embankments, while rescue teams evacuated stranded families and assessed damage to public and private property.
Local Congress MLA Iftkhar Ahmad, who abandoned his party programme to return to Rajouri, described the destruction as extensive.
“I have abandoned my party programme to stand with my people, as the flash floods have caused extensive damage to public and private property,” he said.
Meanwhile, authorities suspended the annual Amarnath Yatra from both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes, stopping the movement of pilgrims from Baltal, Nunwan-Chandanwari and Bhagwati Nagar base camps.
“In view of the inclement weather forecast issued by the IMD, Shri Amarnathji Yatra shall remain temporarily suspended… as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of the pilgrims,” an official said.
Officials said the yatra would resume only after a comprehensive assessment of weather and route conditions.
More than 3.76 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the cave shrine since the pilgrimage began on July 3.
The Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage in Reasi district was also temporarily suspended following the weather advisory.
“In view of the inclement weather advisory issued by the IMD, the Vaishno Devi yatra shall remain temporarily suspended,” an official said.
The Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board similarly suspended the pilgrimage to the cave shrine at Ransoo, citing heavy rainfall and safety concerns.
Authorities said a decision on resuming all three pilgrimages would be taken after weather conditions improved and safety inspections were completed.
The Meteorological Department has forecast moderate to heavy rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir over the next four days, raising fears of more flash floods, landslides and disruptions in vulnerable areas.
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