Ahmedabad Times

Poonch: Residents collect within the aftermath of torrential rain-triggered landslides and flash floods, at Dhara Sangla village of Surankote tehsil, in Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir. At the very least 12 individuals have been killed and several other others lacking as rains unleashed landslides and flash floods throughout the dual border districts of Poonch and Rajouri within the union territory on Sunday, inflicting widespread injury to private and non-private infrastructure together with roads and homes, officers mentioned. (PTI Photograph)

JAMMU: Torrential rain unleashed flash floods and landslides in Pir Panjal area of J&Okay’s Poonch and Rajouri districts Sunday, killing not less than 14 individuals, leaving a number of lacking and burying houses underneath partitions of water, rock and dirt that barrelled down mountain slopes. Officers mentioned the toll might rise as rescuers looked for these trapped beneath particles.CM Omar Abdullah lower brief his keep in New Delhi and flew to Jammu to supervise aid operations after heavy rain triggered widespread devastation within the two border districts. Police, Military, SDRF, civil administration and native volunteers fanned out throughout worst-hit Surankote, Haveli and Mandi in Poonch, whereas LG Manoj Sinha reviewed rescue efforts and directed speedy aid for affected households.Heavy rain disrupted site visitors on strategic Jammu-Srinagar NH-44, prompting authorities to induce commuters to keep away from weak stretches. Annual Amarnath Yatra, which started July 3, and pilgrimages to Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra and Shiv Khori in Reasi have been quickly suspended after IMD forecast opposed climate for the following three days.Officers mentioned Decrease Murrah in Surankote suffered the heaviest loss, the place eight members of a household have been swept away. Two our bodies had been discovered by night whereas search groups continued to retrieve the remaining six. The lifeless included Noor Safia, 59; her sons Sajad Ahmed, 16, Haqnawaz Ahmed, 10, and Shahnawaz Ahmed, 10; Khalda Kouser, 25, and her 2-year-old son Sofian; Bano Bi, 60; and Mohammad Akram, 7.4 extra died in Sangla village, whereas a fatality can also be reported from close by Sangalani. Nazia Kouser, 28, died in Noona Bandi, and 4 injured have been shifted to Poonch district hospital.LG Sinha mentioned he had spoken to senior officers and reviewed rescue operations. “Affected households have been moved to security. All departments are on excessive alert,” he mentioned. “I urge residents to remain calm and observe official updates. I’m deeply saddened by the lack of lives in Rajouri and Poonch.”CM Abdullah expressed grief over the deaths, provided condolences to bereaved households and prayed for these injured. His workplace mentioned he had remained in fixed contact with native MLAs earlier than flying to Jammu to personally monitor the state of affairs.Former CM Ghulam Nabi Azad additionally condoled the lack of lives and widespread destruction.Rescue groups pulled three boys to security close to Peer Kho temple in Jammu after Tawi swelled immediately. In Rajouri, Military, police and SDRF rescued two boys stranded in flooded Dhangri riverbank and 9 others marooned in Thanamandi.Military’s White Knight Corps mentioned troops “braving difficult flood situations and swift water currents” rescued 11 civilians, together with 5 youngsters.Authorities sounded a flood alert throughout Jammu division after water ranges surged in Chenab and different rivers. Gates of Salal hydroelectric mission in Reasi remained open for a second day throughout reservoir flushing, sharply growing discharge into Chenab. Police in neighbouring Ramban additionally issued an advisory after gates of Baglihar hydroelectric mission have been opened, sending river ranges greater.