JAMMU: Torrential rain unleashed flash floods and landslides in Pir Panjal region of J&K’s Poonch and Rajouri districts Sunday, killing at least 14 people, leaving several missing and burying homes under walls of water, rock and mud that barrelled down mountain slopes. Officials said the toll could rise as rescuers searched for those trapped beneath debris.CM Omar Abdullah cut short his stay in New Delhi and flew to Jammu to oversee relief operations after heavy rain triggered widespread devastation in the two border districts. Police, Army, SDRF, civil administration and local volunteers fanned out across worst-hit Surankote, Haveli and Mandi in Poonch, while LG Manoj Sinha reviewed rescue efforts and directed immediate relief for affected families.Heavy rain disrupted traffic on strategic Jammu-Srinagar NH-44, prompting authorities to urge commuters to avoid vulnerable stretches. Annual Amarnath Yatra, which began July 3, and pilgrimages to Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra and Shiv Khori in Reasi were temporarily suspended after IMD forecast adverse weather for the next three days.Officials said Lower Murrah in Surankote suffered the heaviest loss, where eight members of a family were swept away. Two bodies had been found by evening while search teams continued to retrieve the remaining six. The dead 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.Four more died in Sangla village, while a fatality is also reported from nearby Sangalani. Nazia Kouser, 28, died in Noona Bandi, and four injured were shifted to Poonch district hospital.LG Sinha said he had spoken to senior officials and reviewed rescue operations. “Affected families have been moved to safety. All departments are on high alert,” he said. “I urge residents to stay calm and follow official updates. I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives in Rajouri and Poonch.”CM Abdullah expressed grief over the deaths, offered condolences to bereaved families and prayed for those injured. His office said he had remained in constant touch with local MLAs before flying to Jammu to personally monitor the situation.Former CM Ghulam Nabi Azad also condoled the loss of lives and widespread destruction.Rescue teams pulled three boys to safety near Peer Kho temple in Jammu after Tawi swelled suddenly. In Rajouri, Army, police and SDRF rescued two boys stranded in flooded Dhangri riverbank and nine others marooned in Thanamandi.Army’s White Knight Corps said troops “braving challenging flood conditions and swift water currents” rescued 11 civilians, including five children.Authorities sounded a flood alert across Jammu division after water levels surged in Chenab and other rivers. Gates of Salal hydroelectric project in Reasi remained open for a second day during reservoir flushing, sharply increasing discharge into Chenab. Police in neighbouring Ramban also issued an advisory after gates of Baglihar hydroelectric project were opened, sending river levels higher.
