Poonch landslide kills 7; J&K toll rises to 26 in two-day rain fury
Synopsis
A second day of deadly landslides in J&K's Poonch has pushed the Jammu division's two-day rain toll to 26, with seven more bodies recovered from the Loran-Dumilan area on Monday. CM Omar Abdullah has announced ₹6 lakh ex gratia per family — but with rescue operations still active and rains continuing, the toll may not yet be final.
Key Takeaways
A landslide in the Loran-Dumilan area of Poonch, J&K , killed seven people on 20 July .
The two-day cumulative death toll across the Jammu division has risen to 26 , with at least 17 killed on Sunday alone.
Poonch and Rajouri districts have been the worst-hit by flash floods and landslides triggered by torrential rainfall.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced ₹6 lakh ex gratia per family — ₹4 lakh from SDRF and ₹2 lakh from CMRF.
Search and rescue operations by Police , SDRF , civil administration, and local volunteers are ongoing.
A fresh landslide triggered by heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district killed seven people on Monday, 20 July, pushing the cumulative death toll from two days of relentless rain across the Jammu division to 26. Search and rescue operations remain underway to trace those still missing.
How the Disaster Unfolded
According to officials, the landslide struck the Loran-Dumilan area of Poonch during the morning hours. 'The landslide was triggered by incessant rain, killing seven people. Seven bodies have been recovered while search and rescue operations are underway to trace any missing person,' officials stated. Local residents said announcements were broadcast from mosques to warn people of the imminent danger from flash floods and landslides.
Police, the civil administration, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local volunteers mobilised rapidly, reaching the site to launch coordinated rescue efforts. Authorities are continuing to assess the full extent of damage to property and infrastructure.
Sunday's Devastation and the Cumulative Toll
The Monday fatalities follow a catastrophic Sunday in which at least 17 people were killed and several others reported missing after torrential rainfall triggered flash floods across parts of the Jammu division, particularly in Poonch and Rajouri districts. Combined with the nine deaths reported on Monday — seven from the Loran-Dumilan landslide and two others from related incidents — the two-day toll has climbed to 26, according to officials.
Incessant rainfall has wreaked widespread havoc across both Poonch and Rajouri, with flash floods damaging roads, bridges, and homes. This is among the deadliest rain events to hit the Jammu region in recent years.
Government Response and Ex Gratia Relief
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday announced an ex gratia relief of ₹6 lakh for the next of kin of each person who lost their life in the flash floods, landslides, and other rain-related incidents across Rajouri and Poonch districts. In a post on X, Abdullah acknowledged that no financial assistance can compensate for the irreparable loss of lives, describing the payment as an immediate measure to support bereaved families.
The relief package comprises ₹4 lakh from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and an additional ₹2 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF).
Rescue Operations Continue
Rescue teams remain deployed across the affected areas as authorities work to account for all missing persons. The damage assessment is ongoing, with officials warning that continued rainfall could further hamper relief efforts and trigger additional landslides in the vulnerable hill terrain of Poonch and Rajouri. The situation is being closely monitored by district administrations and state disaster management authorities.
Point of View
Yet early-warning infrastructure and evacuation protocols remain visibly inadequate, as evidenced by locals relying on mosque announcements rather than official alerts. The ₹6 lakh ex gratia is a standard administrative response, but it sidesteps the harder question: why were communities in known landslide-prone zones like Loran-Dumilan not pre-emptively evacuated? The Centre and the J&K administration owe a credible accounting of what mitigation spending in these districts has actually delivered.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people have been killed in the Poonch landslide on 20 July?
Seven people were killed in the landslide that struck the Loran-Dumilan area of Poonch on 20 July. Seven bodies were recovered and rescue operations are underway to trace any missing persons.
What is the total death toll from the two-day rain fury in the Jammu division?
The total toll has risen to 26, according to officials. At least 17 people were killed on Sunday in flash floods across Poonch and Rajouri, and nine more deaths were reported on Monday including the seven from the Loran-Dumilan landslide.
What ex gratia relief has the J&K government announced for flood victims?
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced ₹6 lakh for the next of kin of each person killed in the rain-related incidents in Poonch and Rajouri. The package comprises ₹4 lakh from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and ₹2 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF).
Which areas have been worst affected by the Jammu floods and landslides?
Poonch and Rajouri districts in the Jammu division have been the most severely affected, with flash floods and landslides causing deaths, displacement, and widespread damage to property and infrastructure.
Are rescue operations still ongoing in Poonch?
Yes, rescue operations by Police, SDRF, the civil administration, and local volunteers are continuing across the affected areas. Authorities are also assessing the full extent of damage to infrastructure and property.
