Flash floods leave trail of destruction across Rajouri's low-lying areas; residents appeal for aid
Rajouri, July 20
Flash floods caused by relentless overnight rainfall wreaked havoc in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, on Sunday, after the Rajouri River overflowed, inundating low-lying areas including Madina Colony. The sudden inundation damaged public and private property, with floodwaters submerging key areas including the new bus stand and sweeping away several vehicles.
Speaking to ANI, a local described the aftermath of flash floods that swept through the region as 'ferocious ', adding that floodwaters surged into their homes.
He said, "People have suffered losses running into crores, and there are reports of loss of life as well. You can see the condition of our houses and the roads. Vehicles have been damaged... The storm was ferocious, forcing people to abandon their houses and belongings. Floodwaters surged into their homes, and everyone was simply trying to save their lives..."
Connecting the plea for help to the ongoing crisis, he added, "We urge both the J&K UT administration and the Delhi government to provide compensation to the affected people... Weather conditions remain critical. We urge people to stay in safe areas and ensure the safety of their children and livestock."
On Sunday, Jammu and Kashmir Police in Ramban appealed to the public to stay away from the banks of the Chenab River after the opening of the gates of the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project Dam led to a rise in the river's water level.
In an advisory, Ramban Police urged people not to venture near the river and to follow safety instructions issued by the authorities.
At least seven people died after a cloudburst triggered flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir's Surankote area of Poonch district, while rescue teams comprising the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) continued search operations for the missing on Sunday amid heavy rain across the Union Territory.
Confirming the death toll, Block Medical Officer (BMO) of Sub-District Hospital, Surankote, Mohd Yousf said, "Regarding the calamity and storm that struck the entire district, including Surankote, Rajouri, and the state, we have confirmed seven deaths in Surankote so far. We have completed the medical formalities for six bodies and handed them over to their families, while one more body, which we recently recovered, is currently being brought in. There are several people still reported missing; we are yet to ascertain the exact number. Rescue operations are currently underway near the stream."
As the rain-related emergency unfolded, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu to review the situation arising from incessant rainfall, flash floods and landslides in Poonch and Rajouri districts, besides assessing the administration's preparedness across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting reviewed the prevailing weather situation, the impact of heavy rainfall and the steps being taken by various departments to ensure public safety, restore essential services and provide relief to affected families.
At the outset, the Chief Minister expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the flash floods and assured all possible assistance for relief, rehabilitation and restoration.
Stressing coordinated action, Omar Abdullah said, "Coordination cannot be emphasised enough," while directing all districts to keep control rooms functional round the clock, maintain constant vigilance and ensure prompt dissemination of information for timely response.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's heartbreaking to see these images from Rajouri. Infrastructure in Himalayan regions is simply not built for such extreme weather events. We need better early warning systems and disaster preparedness—not just reactive measures after the damage is done. The CM's call for coordination is good, but what concrete action is being taken on the ground?
The water from the Chenab River is also rising due to dam release—this is compounding the crisis. People in low-lying areas need to take warnings seriously. Praying for the affected families. 🙏
I've visited Rajouri—it's a beautiful area but very prone to flash floods. The local residents are resilient but they can't fight nature alone. Both the UT administration and Delhi must ensure immediate relief. Crores of rupees in losses, but even worse is the loss of life and livelihoods. Where is our disaster response infrastructure?
Kudos to the rescue teams—Army, Police, and SDRF—for their efforts in such dangerous conditions. But it's upsetting to see that after every disaster, we have to rely on the same stories: no proper drainage, unplanned construction in flood-prone zones, and delayed compensation. We need long-term solutions like better land-use planning in Jammu and Kashmir's hilly areas.
The old bus stand is still standing, but the new one is gone. This shows how vital proper infrastructure is in these regions. The people of Rajouri and Surankote are suffering, and I hope CM Omar Abdullah ensures swift action—not just meetings but actual relief. My heart goes out to the families who lost loved ones. 😢
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