Punjab Newsline | Jammu
Heavy rainfall has wreaked havoc across Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch and Rajouri districts, leaving more than 14 people dead and several others missing after flash floods and landslides struck the region.
Most of the fatalities occurred in Lower Murrah village of Bufliaz in Surankote tehsil, Poonch district, where a sudden flash flood swept through the area. Additional deaths were reported due to landslides triggered by incessant rain.
Surankote Block Medical Officer Dr. Mohammad Yousuf Choudhary said that eight bodies have been recovered so far, while search operations are underway to trace those still missing.
Authorities have identified eight of the victims as Noor Safia (59), Sajjad Ahmad (16), Haqnawaz Ahmad (10), Shahnawaz Ahmad (10), Khalida Kausar (25), Sofiyan (2), Bano Bee (60), and Mohammad Akram (7).
Rescue teams comprising police, civil administration personnel and local volunteers are conducting extensive search and rescue operations in the affected areas.
Officials said the flash floods uprooted electricity poles and disrupted mobile network services in several flood-hit villages of Poonch. Despite the severe weather, the Mughal Road and the Rajouri-Poonch Highway remain open to traffic.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed profound grief over the tragic loss of lives caused by the flash floods and landslides in Poonch. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the disaster.
