Budgam, July 22: The body of a newly married man, who was swept away by a swollen stream in Budgam district amid ongoing flood conditions, was recovered on Wednesday morning after an extensive overnight search operation.

The deceased has been identified as Shabir Ahmad Paswal, a resident of Drang village in the Khag area.

Officials said Shabir Ahmad was carried away by strong currents after the water level in a local nallah rose suddenly due to continuous heavy rainfall, which triggered flash floods and caused streams across the district to overflow.

Following the incident, a joint rescue operation was launched by the district administration, police, and emergency response teams. After several hours of sustained efforts, the body was recovered from Ashrea Nallah with the assistance of local residents, volunteers, rescue personnel, Tehsildar Khag, and SHO Khag Mudasir Ahmad.

The tragedy occurred as Budgam continues to grapple with severe weather conditions. Persistent rainfall has led to flooding in several villages, damaged infrastructure, and caused rivers and streams to swell, prompting authorities to strengthen emergency response measures.

In light of the prevailing situation, Budgam Police have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from rivers, streams, nallahs, embankments, and other flood-prone areas. Round-the-clock emergency helplines have also been activated to provide immediate assistance during the ongoing weather emergency.

Authorities have advised parents to keep children away from open drains, culverts, and fast-flowing water. The public has also been cautioned against gathering near water bodies to watch rising water levels or take photographs, as rapidly changing currents pose a significant risk.

Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner of Budgam directed all concerned departments to remain on high alert and ensure the immediate deployment of Police, SDRF, Civil Defence, Fire and Emergency Services, and other rescue agencies. Officials have been instructed to maintain constant monitoring of vulnerable locations and respond swiftly to any emergencies caused by the adverse weather.

The Deputy Commissioner also appealed to residents to cooperate with the administration, stay indoors unless travel is unavoidable, avoid flood-hit and vulnerable areas, and strictly follow evacuation advisories issued by the civil administration and police.

Officials said all departments remain on alert and are working in close coordination to protect lives and property as heavy rainfall continues to affect the district.