Multiple landslides disrupt road connectivity; NH-44 restored after clearance; Mughal Road closed, Tawi water level rises; MeT warns of more rain, flash floods, landslides
Srinagar, Jul 25: Heavy rainfall lashed several parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, triggering landslides, flash flood concerns and a house collapse that claimed the life of a woman in Rajouri district, while disrupting road connectivity across the Union Territory.
A 45-year-old woman was killed and two of her family members injured after a portion of their concrete house collapsed in Bhatian village of Thanamandi in Rajouri amid incessant rainfall, officials told the news agency – Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
The deceased was identified as Shahida Parveen, wife of Abdul Rehman. Her husband, Abdul Rehman (62), and son Toufeeq Rehman (25) sustained injuries and were shifted to the Government Medical College (GMC) Associated Hospital, Rajouri, where they are undergoing treatment.
Officials said the family was trapped under the debris after the house caved in. Residents rushed to the spot and rescued the victims before they were taken to the hospital.
Continuous rain also triggered multiple landslides across the Jammu region, affecting road connectivity.
A major landslide blocked the Thathri-Kilhotran Road at Bhamoon Battis in Doda district, leaving commuters stranded on both sides. The administration launched restoration work to clear the debris, though locals alleged delays in road clearance operations.
On the Mughal Road, multiple landslides were reported due to the persistent rainfall. However, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) carried out clearance operations but the road remained closed for traffic.
In Jammu city, the water level in the Tawi River rose following continuous rainfall, prompting authorities to closely monitor the situation.
Meanwhile, search operations entered the sixth consecutive day for Abdul Ghani, an employee of the Jal Shakti Department who was washed away during the July 19 flash floods in Rajouri district.
Joint teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and district police continued manual and machinery-assisted searches in flooded river stretches to trace the missing employee.
Officials said Ghani was posted at a water supply pumping station in Behrote village of Thanamandi when flash floods swept away the pumping room, leaving him missing since the incident.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), which was briefly affected by landslides and shooting stones in Ramban district, was reopened after restoration teams cleared the debris. Light motor vehicles were allowed to ply in both directions, while the movement of heavy vehicles was being regulated depending on road and weather conditions.
According to the Meteorological Centre, Srinagar, rainfall was recorded across most parts of Jammu and Kashmir during the day. Rajouri received 39 mm of rainfall, Ramban 43.5 mm, Katra 36.2 mm, Reasi 32 mm, Jammu 22 mm and Baramulla 20.5 mm, among other places.
The wet weather also led to a sharp drop in day temperatures. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 21.5 degrees Celsius, 8.4 degrees below normal, while Kupwara was 10 degrees below normal at 21.1 degrees Celsius. Jammu recorded a maximum of 27.2 degrees Celsius.
The Meteorological Department has forecast intermittent spells of rain and thundershowers across Jammu and Kashmir over the next five days, with the possibility of heavy rainfall at isolated places in the Jammu division between July 28 and 31.
It has also warned of flash floods, landslides and mudslides at vulnerable locations and advised the public, tourists and transporters to follow official advisories. (KNO)
