Flash floods kill 4, leave 5 missing in J&K's Rajouri and Poonch
Synopsis
Flash floods and landslides tore through Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir on 19 July, killing at least four people and leaving five missing. Rivers breached danger levels, a bus stand was submerged, and a graveyard was washed away — while the IMD has extended its heavy rainfall warning through 23 July, keeping the threat live.
Key Takeaways
At least 4 people killed and 5 missing after flash floods struck Rajouri and Poonch on 19 July .
Three bodies recovered in Surankote following landslides and torrential rain; death toll feared to rise.
Darhali River breached flood protection wall in Bela Colony , inundating Rajouri town's new bus stand and sweeping away dozens of vehicles.
LG Manoj Sinha confirmed rescue teams from army, police, SDRF, and civil administration are deployed; affected families moved to safety.
CM Omar Abdullah returned to Jammu from Delhi to oversee relief operations.
IMD has extended heavy rainfall warning across Jammu and Kashmir through 23 July .
At least four people have been killed and five others reported missing after flash floods and landslides struck Rajouri and Poonch districts in Jammu and Kashmir's Jammu division on 19 July, inundating low-lying areas, sweeping away vehicles, and damaging dozens of homes. Dozens more were injured as overflowing rivers breached their banks, triggering a large-scale rescue operation.
Ground Situation in Surankote and Poonch
In Surankote, at least three bodies were recovered following a combination of landslides, flash floods, and torrential rainfall. Several individuals remain unaccounted for, with authorities confirming at least five people still missing. In the Haveli area of Poonch, seven houses were damaged; one person lost their life while another remained in critical condition. Officials warned the death toll could rise as search operations continue.
Rajouri Town Submerged, Vehicles Washed Away
Rajouri town bore the brunt of the flooding after incessant overnight rainfall beginning Saturday evening caused all major rivers — including Darhali, Khandli, Suktoh, and Jamola — to swell to or above danger levels. The Darhali River breached the flood protection wall near Bela Colony, sending floodwaters surging into the new bus stand, where dozens of vehicles were swept away or submerged. Hundreds of residents were evacuated from low-lying areas. Many families were trapped in inundated houses, and loss of livestock was reported in Bela and adjoining localities. In Thanamandi, flash floods struck the Churung, Rajdhani, and Behrote areas, with labourers at a crusher unit in Behrote reportedly trapped. A cloudburst in Kotli Kalaban and Golinari areas of Manjakote Tehsil completely washed away a local graveyard into a nearby stream, destroying several graves and triggering grief among residents.
What the Government Said
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, in a post on X, said he had spoken to senior officials and reviewed the situation in both districts. 'Rescue teams from the civil administration, police, army, SDRF, and local volunteers are actively working on the ground. Affected families have already been moved to safety. All departments are on high alert, and they are prioritising immediate relief and repair work,' he said. Sinha added he was 'deeply saddened' by the loss of lives and directed officials to provide immediate aid to all affected families, ensuring emergency teams remain fully prepared. Congress MLA Iftkhar Ahmad said there was heavy damage to public and private property in the flash floods.
Chief Minister Rushes Back, Rescue Teams Deployed
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah cut short his stay in Delhi and was travelling to Jammu in response to the worsening situation. The National Conference (NC) protest scheduled in Delhi was to be led instead by Dr Farooq Abdullah. Rescue and relief teams, backed by the local administration, were engaged in evacuating affected families and assessing the scale of damage across both districts.
Weather Warning in Effect Until July 23
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an advisory on Saturday warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall and flash flood risk across Jammu and Kashmir. A subsequent advisory extended the warning of moderate to heavy rainfall through 23 July. Authorities urged residents in low-lying areas and near water bodies to remain vigilant and follow official updates. This is not an isolated event — the Rajouri-Poonch belt has been repeatedly vulnerable to monsoon-season flash floods, with cloudbursts in previous years also causing significant casualties and displacement.
Point of View
Yet the breach of the Darhali River flood protection wall points to infrastructure that has not kept pace with increasingly intense monsoon events. The deployment of army and SDRF teams is a standard response, but the recurring nature of these disasters — cloudbursts washing away graveyards, labourers trapped at crusher units — raises harder questions about land-use regulation and early-warning reach in border districts. With the IMD warning active through 23 July, the next 72 hours will test whether the emergency apparatus can prevent a higher toll.
NationPress
19 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people were killed in the Rajouri and Poonch flash floods?
At least four people were killed in the flash floods that struck Rajouri and Poonch districts on 19 July. Three bodies were recovered in Surankote and one person died in the Haveli area of Poonch; officials warned the toll could rise as search operations continue.
How many people are missing after the Rajouri-Poonch floods?
At least five people are reported missing following the flash floods and landslides in Rajouri and Poonch. Several others remain unaccounted for as rescue teams continue operations across affected areas.
What areas were worst affected by the flash floods in J&K?
Rajouri town, Surankote, Haveli (Poonch), Thanamandi, Behrote, and Manjakote Tehsil were among the worst-hit areas. The Darhali River breached its flood protection wall, submerging Rajouri's bus stand, while a cloudburst in Manjakote Tehsil washed away a local graveyard.
What action has the J&K government taken in response to the floods?
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha confirmed that rescue teams from the army, police, SDRF, civil administration, and local volunteers are deployed on the ground. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah returned to Jammu from Delhi to oversee relief, and officials have been directed to provide immediate aid to all affected families.
Is there a weather warning in place for Jammu and Kashmir?
Yes. The India Meteorological Department has issued an advisory warning of moderate to heavy rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir through 23 July. Authorities have urged residents in low-lying areas and near water bodies to stay vigilant and follow official updates.
