Rain havoc claims three lives in Jammu

Three persons lost their lives in separate rain-related incidents in the Jammu region as heavy rainfall continued through Wednesday evening, causing widespread damage, house collapses, and river overflows.

In Sunderbani area of Rajouri district, a woman and her daughter died after a wall of their house collapsed due to incessant rains. The deceased were identified as Sita Devi and her daughter Sonia, residents of Tanda Kangri village.

In another incident, a Tata MUV driver, identified as Sham Lal, died after his vehicle was washed away in an overflowing nullah in the Bantalab area of Jammu. His body was recovered by the police early Wednesday morning.

Significant rainfall was recorded across Jammu and Kashmir in the past 24 hours. According to the Meteorological Centre in Srinagar, Jammu received 86.5 mm of rain, Srinagar 39.3 mm, Banihal 107.2 mm, Batote 176 mm, Katra 212 mm, and Bhaderwah 116.2 mm. The persistent rain triggered multiple landslides across the Jammu region, including in the Trikuta Hills of Reasi district, where the Vaishno Devi shrine is located. A landslide occurred on the track leading to the cave shrine, but there were no casualties as the pilgrimage had already been suspended following the August 26 landslide that killed 34 people.

In Jammu city, police from Pacca Danga station rescued three people after their house collapsed in the Kali Jani area. The Jammu police, in a statement, said teams from Akhnoor, Khour, Phallian Mandal, Belicharana, RS Pura, Miran Sahib, and nearby areas are engaged in round-the-clock rescue operations and providing relief to affected residents. “Despite challenging weather conditions, our officers and jawans are using all available resources to move people to safer locations,” said the statement.

In Doda district, where the risk of landslides and flash floods remains high, Senior Superintendent of Police Sandeep Mehta convened a preparedness review meeting with local police officials. The SSP assessed field-level readiness, particularly in vulnerable zones prone to road blockages, landslides and flashfloods. Landslides were also reported from several parts of Kishtwar district. In Bhaderwah, the Neeru river was flowing above the danger mark. Originating from the Sonbain glacier in the Kailash range, the Neeru river merges with the Chenab at Pul Doda.

45 villagers saved by BSF choppers

Rescue teams from the BSF and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) successfully evacuated 45 members of the Gujjar community stranded at Fattu Kotli near Garkhal in Akhnoor, where the Chenab river had risen above the danger mark.

“The operation was carried out under adverse conditions. The timely action brought relief to the affected families and prevented any loss of life,” a BSF spokesperson said.