Search operations in the Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir have concluded with the recovery of the bodies of two flash flood victims. The victims include a 20-year-old man and a seven-year-old girl. In a separate incident, the Indian Army successfully rescued civilians stranded on a river island in the Poonch River.
Atif Hussain Shah, a 20-year-old resident of Dassal, was swept away while attempting to cross a stream at Mubarakhpura Keriyan village in Rajouri. A joint search and rescue operation was launched by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and local volunteers. Drones were also used to aid in the search. His body was found approximately 13 kilometers downstream in the Munawar Tawi, at Dalogra. After completing medico-legal procedures, the body was handed over to his family.
In a separate incident in the Poonch district, seven-year-old Aysia Kauser of Marah was swept away by strong currents in a local rivulet near Dhoke Umrah, Bankasi. Joint rescue teams recovered her body from the Suran River in the Shindra area of Poonch after extensive search efforts.
The Indian Army played a crucial role in rescuing civilians stranded on an island in the Poonch River. Following heavy rains, the water levels rose suddenly, trapping a group of people. An Army rescue team was quickly mobilized and deployed to the Lower Kuniyan area of Poonch. Despite challenging terrain and strong water currents, the team safely evacuated all seven individuals, including women and children. The Army's swift response and efficient execution were commended, highlighting their commitment to civilian safety.
Authorities in Rajouri and Poonch have issued advisories urging residents to take precautions due to the ongoing weather challenges. Heavy rain had triggered flash floods and landslides at several places in the Jammu region, causing damage to structures and roads. Three houses were washed away near the Betaar riverbanks, and flash floods also damaged houses and a school in Khanetar, Poonch. Landslides in Niaka Panjgrian village of Rajouri led to the closure of two roads, with efforts underway to clear the blockades. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was also temporarily shut down for vehicular traffic due to the adverse weather conditions.
