Several still missing in flash-flood hit Poonch; BRO restores key roads in border districts

Jammu–Srinagar national highway closed | Jammu rivers flowing above danger mark; avoid water bodies warns NDRF

23/07/2026

JAMMU, July 22: Relen-tless rains battered the Jammu region for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday, pushing major rivers above the danger mark, forcing suspension of traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and keeping major pilgrimages halted, even as rescue teams continued searching for seven people missing in flood and landslide-hit areas.
At least 23 people have lost their lives in separate incidents of flash floods and landslides in Poonch, Rajouri and Doda districts since Sunday, while the prolonged spell of torrential rain has caused extensive damage to roads, bridges, houses and other infrastructure and disrupted power and drinking water supply at several places, officials said.
The worst-hit Poonch and Rajouri districts continued to witness intensive search and relief operations by the police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and other agencies.
In Poonch, joint teams were combing both banks of a swollen stream from Bufliaz to Pradhan Ali despite difficult terrain and adverse weather in an effort to trace those missing.
Flash floods had struck the Bufliaz area of Surankote, causing deaths and leaving several people unaccounted for. Police said the search operation would continue until every missing person was traced.
Meanwhile, traffic on the 250-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the only all-weather road connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country, was suspended from both directions at around 9.30 am after heavy rains triggered landslides, mudslides and shooting stones at nearly a dozen places between Udhampur and Banihal.
Road clearance agencies mobilised men and machinery to remove debris, while commuters were advised against undertaking journeys on the highway until weather conditions improved and the road was declared safe for traffic.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), under Project Sampark, also deployed personnel and heavy machinery at several affected locations in Poonch and Rajouri and restored connectivity on a number of strategic roads.
BRO teams worked round-the-clock in adverse weather conditions to clear landslide debris and maintain movement of security forces and essential supplies in the border districts, officials said.
The situation remained equally worrying along the region's major rivers, with the Chenab at Akhnoor and Tawi in Jammu flowing above the danger mark.
At 5 pm, the Chenab at Akhnoor touched 35.8 feet against the alert level of 32 feet, while its evacuation level is 42 feet. Officials said the water level was continuing to rise and all agencies were closely monitoring the situation.
The Tawi was also flowing above the danger mark, prompting NDRF teams to launch public awareness measures at vulnerable locations.
NDRF personnel equipped with loudspeakers were deployed near Gujjar Nagar bridge and other sensitive locations, warning people against approaching the swollen river, stopping on bridges, parking vehicles along riverbanks or taking selfies close to the water.
The Ujh river in Kathua remained above its danger level of 20 feet, while Tarnah stream touched the danger mark of 4.5 feet and the Basanter river in Samba reached the danger level of 4.6 feet.
Officials warned of a further rise in water levels in rivers and streams, particularly in Kathua and Samba districts, amid continuing rainfall.
Kathua recorded the highest rainfall of 153 mm during the 24 hours ending 8.30 am on Wednesday, followed by Samba at 133 mm, Udhampur at 112.6 mm, Jammu at 62.1 mm, Katra at 58.5 mm, Poonch at 51 mm and Rajouri at 40.5 mm.
The weather department has forecast moderate to heavy rainfall till Thursday evening, keeping the administration and disaster response agencies on alert.
Several low-lying areas reported flooding of houses and shops as rivers, streams and other water bodies swelled following the sustained spell of rain.
All major pilgrimages in the region, including the Amarnath Yatra, Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra and Machail Mata Yatra, remained suspended since Sunday as a precautionary measure.
Rescue, relief and restoration operations have been intensified across affected districts, with the civil administration, police, SDRF, NDRF and other agencies working to evacuate people from vulnerable areas, restore connectivity and assess losses.
Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and Inspector General of Police Bhim Sen Tuti visited flash flood-hit areas of Poonch and reviewed the ground situation and restoration operations.
The officers met families who lost their members in the disaster and assured them of assistance. Officials were directed to expedite restoration of essential services and damaged infrastructure and ensure timely relief to affected families.
In Rajouri, Jal Shakti Minister Javed Ahmed Rana, accompanied by Youth Services and Sports Minister Satish Sharma, reviewed the flood situation and relief and restoration measures.
The ministers visited the Relief and Rehabilitation Centre established at Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Rajouri, and interacted with families shifted there. They also reviewed arrangements for accommodation, food, drinking water, healthcare and other essential services.
Authorities have advised people to avoid rivers, streams, landslide-prone stretches and flood-affected roads and undertake travel only when necessary as the inclement weather persists.

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