Poonch/Jammu, July 20: The death toll in the rain-related disasters that have ravaged several parts of Jammu and Kashmir rose to 26 on Monday, with seven people killed in a fresh landslide in Poonch district and two passengers losing their lives after a massive boulder struck a bus in Doda district amid incessant rainfall.
The latest tragedy unfolded in the Loran-Dumilan area of Poonch, where a landslide triggered by continuous heavy rain buried several people under debris. Official sources said seven bodies have been recovered so far, while search and rescue operations are continuing amid fears that more persons may be trapped.
The landslide caused extensive damage in the area and further worsened the situation in a district already reeling from the devastating impact of flash floods and cloudbursts over the past two days.
Police, civil administration officials, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel and local volunteers rushed to the spot and launched an intensive rescue operation. Despite challenging weather conditions and unstable terrain, teams continued to search through debris in an effort to locate survivors and missing persons.
Residents said announcements were made through mosque loudspeakers to alert people living in vulnerable areas as flash floods and landslides continued to pose a serious threat across several villages.
“The situation remains extremely challenging due to continuous rainfall and unstable slopes. Rescue teams are working round the clock to locate missing persons and assist affected families,” officials said.
While rescue operations were underway in Poonch, another rain-related tragedy struck the Chenab Valley region when a massive boulder hit a passenger bus on the Jammu-Kishtwar National Highway near Raggi Nallah in Doda district around 9:30 am on Monday.
Officials said the boulder suddenly rolled down from a hillside and crashed into the bus, causing extensive damage to the vehicle and trapping several passengers inside.
Rescue teams, police personnel and local volunteers immediately rushed to the site and launched an operation to evacuate the injured. Two passengers were killed in the incident, while several others sustained injuries and were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Authorities said efforts were underway to clear debris from the highway and restore normal traffic movement. The exact number of injured passengers was being ascertained.
The incident occurred amid continuous rainfall across the Chenab Valley, where landslides and shooting stones have been reported from several vulnerable road stretches.
The twin tragedies have added to the devastation caused by torrential rains that lashed Jammu and Kashmir over the weekend. On Sunday, at least 17 people were killed and several others went missing after flash floods triggered by intense rainfall swept through parts of Poonch and Rajouri districts, leaving a trail of destruction.
Floodwaters damaged houses, roads, bridges, public infrastructure, agricultural land and livestock, while several villages were cut off due to washed-away roads and overflowing streams. Hundreds of residents have been affected, and relief operations are continuing in the worst-hit areas.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on moday reviewed the flood situation and ongoing rescue and relief operations with senior officials. He directed the administration to provide all possible assistance to affected families, expedite relief measures, and ensure that rescue teams remain fully mobilised in vulnerable areas. The Lieutenant Governor assured all necessary support to the districts affected by the calamity.
With seven deaths reported in Monday’s landslide in Poonch and two more fatalities in the Doda bus accident, the overall toll from rain-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir has now risen to 26, making it one of the deadliest spells of monsoon-related disasters in the region in recent years.
Meanwhile, search operations are continuing in several affected areas, while authorities have appealed to people living in landslide-prone and flood-vulnerable zones to remain vigilant and strictly follow safety advisories.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast further rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir over the coming days, raising concerns about additional flash floods, landslides and disruption in vulnerable mountainous regions.
Officials have advised commuters to avoid unnecessary travel and exercise extreme caution while moving through hilly areas until weather conditions improve
