Poonch, July 19: The devastating flash floods triggered by torrential overnight rains left 10 persons dead while eight others are missing in border districts of Poonch and Rajouri. Dozens of houses were damaged and many vehicles washed away as flood waters caused extensive damage to roads, agricultural land and livestock.
The flash floods struck Rajouri town during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday after heavy rainfall lashed Thannamandi, Darhal and the upper hilly areas.
The sudden rise in the water level of the Sukhto River and other seasonal streams inundated several low-lying localities, disrupting normal life across the district. Houses, shops, roads and public infrastructure suffered significant damage, while many families were forced to evacuate to safer locations.
The district administration, along with the Army, SDRF, Police, Civil Defence and other rescue agencies, immediately launched large-scale rescue and relief operations in the affected areas.
Officials said a comprehensive assessment of the losses is underway, and the concerned departments are compiling detailed reports on the damage.
The worst-hit area was Bela Colony, where floodwaters breached the river protection wall and entered the New Bela Bus Stand and adjoining residential localities.
Around 20 vehicles parked at the bus stand were swept away by the powerful currents, while nearly 40 other vehicles sustained severe damage. Several commercial establishments, workshops and shops located behind Bela Colony were completely destroyed. Eyewitnesses described the flood as one of the worst witnessed in Rajouri in recent decades, with vehicles being carried away by the raging waters within minutes.
The flood also devastated the slum settlements located near Abdullah Bridge and Tariq Bridge. More than 50 families lost their homes after floodwaters submerged the settlements. A woman, identified as Pinky Devi, lost her life after being swept away in the flood. Rescue teams later recovered her body.
In Behrote, 50 years old Abdul Ghani, son of Mohammad Rafiq, a daily-wage worker of the Jal Shakti Department, was washed away by floodwaters while performing his official duties. Efforts are on to trace him
The district administration established a relief camp at Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Rajouri, where over 50 affected families have been provided temporary shelter. The administration is supplying seven days' dry ration, drinking water, medicines, blankets, tents and sanitation kits to every affected family.
Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Abhishek Sharma visited the relief camp, interacted with the displaced families and assured them of every possible assistance.
He said the district administration had mobilised all departments immediately after receiving information about the flash floods and rescue operations were launched on a war footing in coordination with the Army, SDRF, Police and other agencies.
The flash floods also caused heavy damage to the DKG–Bufliaz Road, disrupting traffic movement, while a graveyard in the Manjakote area suffered extensive destruction. Across the district, vast stretches of agricultural land, standing crops, irrigation channels and rural infrastructure were badly affected. Farmers suffered huge losses as fertile land was washed away or buried under silt and debris, severely impacting their livelihoods.
The livestock sector also suffered extensive losses across Rajouri district. Several cattle, sheep, goats and poultry were washed away or perished in the floodwaters, particularly in low-lying and rural areas. Many livestock sheds were damaged or destroyed, causing substantial economic losses to families dependent on animal husbandry as their primary source of income.
The roops of the White Knight Corps, working closely with the Jammu and Kashmir Police, SDRF and the civil administration, carried out multiple life-saving rescue operations across the flood-affected areas of Rajouri.
Despite challenging conditions and swift water currents, the Army successfully rescued 11 civilians, including five children—nine people stranded near Churung village in Thannamandi and two youths marooned on a river island in the Naushera Tawi near Dhangri.