Jammu, Jul 20 (KNO): Nine people were killed in separate rain-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, including seven members of two families who died after a flash flood and landslide buried a house in Poonch district and two persons killed when shooting stones struck a passenger bus in Doda district, officials said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced an ex gratia of Rs 6 lakh for the next of kin of each person killed in the rain-related incidents in Rajouri and Poonch, comprising Rs 4 lakh from the SDRF and Rs 2 lakh from the CMRF.
The fresh deaths came as search operations continued for those missing in Sunday's devastating flash floods, taking the overall death toll from the two-day spell of heavy rain, flash floods and landslides in the Union Territory to 21, officials said.
The latest tragedy struck the Domail Dhok area of Loran in Poonch district, where a residential house was buried under debris after a flash flood and landslide triggered by heavy rainfall.
The deceased were identified as Zaida Begum (35), wife of Mohammad Rafiq and a resident of Lopadi, Loran; her son Adnan Rafiq (4); daughter Irzaa (2); Shamim Akhter, wife of Rayaz Ahmad; Tanvir (22), son of Ghulam Mohammad; Irfan (22), son of Subhan Dar; and Sabina (30), wife of Abdul Majid.
Police, SDRF and local rescue teams rushed to the spot and retrieved all the bodies from the debris.
"Police are on the spot, and further details are being ascertained," an official said.
Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the latest fatalities came a day after 12 people were killed in flash floods and other rain-related incidents in Poonch and Rajouri districts on Sunday, raising the overall death toll from the ongoing spell of inclement weather to 19.
Search operations continued on Monday at multiple locations along the Suran river in Surankote to trace people who went missing during Sunday's flash floods.
Officials said teams of the police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and other agencies were carrying out coordinated searches despite difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions.
"All available resources have been deployed to trace the missing persons, and the operation will continue until everyone is accounted for," an official said.
Expressing grief over the loss of lives, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said the tragic landslide in Poonch had claimed seven precious lives. "I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families during this difficult time," Sinha said in a post on X.
He said senior officials had been directed to extend immediate relief and all necessary assistance to the affected families.
CM Abdullah, announcing an ex gratia, said, "While no amount of financial assistance can ever compensate for the irreparable loss of life caused by yesterday's flash floods, landslides and other rain-related incidents in Poonch and Rajouri, we are announcing an ex gratia relief of Rs 6 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased as an immediate measure of support."
He directed the district administration to ensure immediate relief and rehabilitation of affected families and asked all departments to work in coordination to restore essential services and expedite relief measures.
Meanwhile, two persons were killed and several others injured after shooting stones hit a passenger bus and multiple vehicles at Raggi Nallah in Doda district on Monday.
Officials said continuous rainfall triggered a slide of stones and debris, damaging several vehicles. The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed due to mudslides and continuous shooting stones, while restoration work was underway. Authorities advised commuters to avoid unnecessary travel until the road was declared safe.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu Bhim Sen Tuti visited the flood-affected Bella area of Rajouri district to assess the situation in the aftermath of recent flash floods.
The senior officers reviewed the ongoing relief and restoration works, including road clearance and restoration of essential services, and directed the concerned departments to expedite the process to restore normalcy at the earliest, officials said.
They also visited the Relief and Rehabilitation Centre at the Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Rajouri, where they interacted with affected families and assured them of all possible assistance from the administration.
Later, the officers chaired a review meeting with district officials to assess the response measures, ensure better coordination among departments and identify vulnerable areas for timely evacuation in the event of future emergencies, they added.
In north Kashmir's Bandipora district, back-to-back cloudbursts struck the Tulail Valley area of Gurez on Sunday, triggering flash floods that damaged the Dawar-Tulail road and affected Burnai, Zadigey and Charwan villages.
Tehsildar Tulail Javid Ahmad said flash floods and debris damaged several stretches of the road, forcing authorities to suspend vehicular movement for several hours. Around 50 to 60 vehicles carrying tourists and local residents remained stranded during the closure.
"In Zadigey village, one cowshed was damaged and four goats were killed in the flash floods. Floodwaters also entered several residential houses, causing damage to property," Ahmad said.
He said no loss of human life or injuries were reported in the cloudburst incidents.
The official said a locally deployed earthmoving machine was used to clear the debris, enabling authorities to evacuate the stranded vehicles after the road was made temporarily passable.
Officials said damage assessment was underway while the situation continued to be monitored.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir is likely to witness widespread moderate to heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours as an approaching western disturbance interacts with the active monsoon system, significantly increasing the risk of flash floods, landslides and cloudbursts across the Union Territory, according to a weather forecast of Kashmir Weather.
The forecast said a surge of monsoon moisture is expected to reach Jammu and Kashmir from Monday night, with the interaction between the western disturbance and monsoon winds likely to enhance rainfall intensity in both the Jammu and Kashmir regions.
The most intense weather activity is expected during the next two days, although intermittent showers may continue later this week, it said.
Jammu region is likely to receive heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, with a high possibility of flash floods, overflowing streams and nallahs, and landslides in vulnerable areas. Water levels in major rivers are also expected to rise rapidly and may approach or cross danger levels at some places, depending on the distribution of rainfall.
In Kashmir, widespread moderate to heavy rainfall with isolated spells of very heavy rain is forecast. The advisory warned of a very high risk of flash floods, particularly in hilly and mountainous areas, while localized cloudbursts cannot be ruled out.
It said water levels in tributaries such as the Lidder and Vishow nallahs, as well as the Jhelum river, are expected to rise significantly, warranting close monitoring.
People have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel through landslide-prone areas and remain alert near streams, nallahs and other vulnerable locations. Frequent thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are also likely during the period, the forecast added.
Furthermore, political parties across Jammu and Kashmir condoled the loss of lives in the rain-related incidents and urged the administration to ensure swift rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures for the affected families.
The People's Democratic Party (PDP), Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party and the Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference (PC) expressed grief over the deaths caused by flash floods and landslides in Rajouri, Poonch and other affected areas, and called for immediate assistance to those hit by the calamity.
The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) issued a public safety advisory and placed its field machinery on high alert following the India Meteorological Department's forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds.
The utility warned that adverse weather could damage power infrastructure, including overhead lines, transformers and electric poles, and said temporary power shutdowns may be required to ensure public safety. It advised people to stay away from damaged electrical installations, avoid waterlogged areas with power infrastructure and immediately report snapped wires or leaning poles. Emergency response teams have been mobilised to ensure prompt restoration of essential services
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired another high-level review meeting through video conference from New Delhi to assess restoration works, relief measures and overall preparedness across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting comprehensively reviewed the latest ground situation, including restoration of essential services, road connectivity, availability of food and other essential supplies, healthcare arrangements, relief operations and the preparedness of all departments in view of continuing adverse weather conditions.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister was informed that restoration of power supply in Poonch district is progressing on a war footing and is expected to be completed by tomorrow evening. He directed the Power Development Department to ensure that restoration works are completed within the stipulated timeline and that any remaining issues are addressed without delay.
The status of roads affected due to landslides, flash floods and heavy rainfall also came under review. Stressing the importance of restoring connectivity at the earliest, the Chief Minister instructed the concerned departments to expedite restoration works, particularly on roads critical for movement of people, relief operations and essential services.
Emphasising the need for continued vigilance, the Chief Minister directed the district administrations to maintain focused attention on vulnerable habitations and take all necessary measures to safeguard residents living in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas.
Omar further ordered strict regulation of traffic movement on landslide and shooting-stone-prone stretches to minimise the risk of accidents and ensure public safety. He directed the administration to ensure uninterrupted availability of food grains, medicines, drinking water and other essential commodities in affected areas.
Expressing concern over the widespread waterlogging witnessed in several parts of Srinagar city following today’s rainfall, the Chief Minister directed the concerned departments, including the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, to adopt a proactive approach in preventing urban flooding. He instructed that men, machinery and dewatering pumps be pre-positioned at identified vulnerable locations to ensure swift drainage of accumulated rainwater and restoration of normal public movement.
The Chief Minister also directed all departments to strengthen inter-departmental coordination, closely monitor weather forecasts and remain fully prepared to respond swiftly to any emerging situation. "The safety and well-being of the people remain the government’s highest priority," Abdullah said—(KNO)