Jammu: Four more people, including a mother and her teenage son in north Kashmir and a couple travelling on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, lost their lives in separate rain-related incidents on Wednesday, taking the overall death toll from the ongoing spell of torrential rain, flash floods and landslides across Jammu and Kashmir to 27 since July 19.
The fresh casualties came as relentless rainfall continued to batter both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions, triggering flash floods, landslides, rising river levels and widespread disruption. The strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained closed, rescue teams continued searching for missing persons in Poonch, and authorities issued fresh advisories asking people to stay away from rivers, nallahs and other vulnerable areas.
In the Kashmir Valley, Gudi Begum and her 14-year-old son Amir Khatana, residents of BonibalTangath in Bandipora district, drowned after they were swept away by floodwaters while attempting to retrieve firewood from a nallah.
Officials said flash floods were triggered by heavy rainfall in the upper reaches of north Kashmir. A rescue operation was launched immediately, and both bodies were later recovered.
The tragedy added to the mounting casualties caused by the ongoing weather emergency across the Union Territory.
In another tragic incident, Nazir Ahmed and his wife Shakeela Begum, residents of Doda district, were killed after boulders crashed onto a tempo traveller at Gangroo near Ramsoo in Ramban district along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
Nazir Ahmed died on the spot, while his wife succumbed to injuries at a nearby hospital. Four other passengers sustained injuries and were shifted for treatment.
Officials said continuous rainfall has made the highway vulnerable to landslides, mudslides and shooting stones at several locations.
With Wednesday’s four fatalities, the overall toll from the ongoing rain-related disasters has risen to 27.
The worst-hit district remains Poonch, where 17 people have died in flash floods, followed by Rajouri (3 deaths), Doda (3 deaths), Ramban (2 deaths) and Bandipora (2 deaths).
Search operations for several missing persons continued in the flood-ravaged areas of Poonch, where police, NDRF and other agencies are combing swollen streams and riverbanks despite adverse weather.
Traffic on the 250-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, remained suspended after heavy rains triggered multiple landslides, mudslides and shooting stones between Udhampur and Banihal.
Authorities advised commuters not to undertake travel until the road is declared safe.
Meanwhile, the suspension of major pilgrimages—including the Amarnath Yatra, Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra and Machail Mata Yatra—continued due to the prevailing weather conditions.
The incessant rainfall pushed several rivers and streams close to or above danger levels.
The Chenab River at Akhnoor crossed the danger mark, while the Tawi River in Jammu also flowed above the danger level, prompting the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to launch public awareness drives along vulnerable stretches.
The Ujh River in Kathua, Tarnah Nallah and Basanter River in Samba also crossed danger levels.
In Jammu district, rising water levels in the Tawi River triggered rescue operations after two unidentified men were trapped in the middle of the river near Prambli area. Teams from the Indian Army’s 20 Punjab Regiment, SDRF and local police launched a rescue operation under the supervision of SDPO South Jammu.
Officials said the Tawi water level in the Satwari sector increased by nearly 1.5 to 2 feet compared to the previous day due to continuous rainfall. Authorities warned that prolonged showers could affect vulnerable areas, including Belicharana, Barjala, Khandwal, Nandwal, Manguchak, Chattha, Surechak, Prambli, Phallian Mandal, Sohanjana, Javed Nagar, Nikki Tawi and Makwal.
In Akhnoor, the Chenab River level rose close to the alert mark, with water reaching around 30 feet against the alert level of 32 feet. Riverbank erosion was reported at Village Chanjwa in Devipur area, raising concerns over possible damage to agricultural land and nearby settlements if rainfall continues.
Meanwhile, in the R.S. Pura border sector, flood-like conditions in the Nikki Tawi area prompted the Border Security Force (BSF) to put forward Border Out Posts of the 7th Battalion on high alert. As a precautionary measure, arms, ammunition and essential stores were shifted to safer locations to prevent damage.
In the Kashmir Valley, the Lidder River at Pahalgam crossed the flood declaration mark, while Sheshnag Nallah and Awoora Stream witnessed flood-like conditions. Although the Jhelum River recorded a steady rise, it remained below the alert level.
Authorities warned that continued rainfall could further increase water levels.
According to the Meteorological Department, heavy rainfall continued across Jammu and Kashmir.
During the previous 24 hours, Kathua recorded 153 mm rainfall, followed by Samba (133 mm), Udhampur (112.6 mm), Jammu (62.1 mm), Katra (58.5 mm), Poonch (51 mm) and Rajouri (40.5 mm).
In Kashmir, Gulmarg received 35 mm, Qazigund 33.2 mm, Kokernag 32.2 mm, Baramulla 30 mm, Pahalgam 16.6 mm and Srinagar 13 mm during the day.
The rainfall also caused a sharp fall in daytime temperatures, with Srinagar recording a maximum of 20 degrees Celsius, nearly 10 degrees below normal.
Rescue and relief operations continued across affected districts with teams from the civil administration, Police, SDRF, NDRF, Army, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and other agencies working round-the-clock.
The BRO restored connectivity on several strategic roads in Poonch and Rajouri by clearing landslide debris.
District administrations continued evacuating vulnerable residents, restoring essential services and assessing damage to public infrastructure, roads, bridges, power supply and drinking water facilities.
Authorities have appealed to residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from rivers and nallahs, and strictly follow official advisories until the weather improves.
