Heavy rains in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district caused floods and landslides early Sunday morning. Four people are reported to have died so far, while several others remain missing, prompting Prime Minister Omar Abdullah to cut short his trip to Delhi due to heavy rains.
Officials said that the most affected area in Poonch is the Surankot tehsil district, where the authorities deployed rescue teams and intensified relief operations to reach stranded residents, clear the affected areas and provide immediate assistance to those affected by the heavy rains. Follow live updates on CJP protest
As heavy rains lashed many parts of Jammu district, Rajouri town was hit by flash floods, forcing hundreds of residents to shift to safer locations as low-lying areas were submerged by floodwaters.
The Amarnath Yatra was also temporarily suspended after rains started early on Sunday with cloudbursts occurring in the forests of Kashmir.
Amarnath, Vaishno Devi Yatra suspended
In view of forecasts of rainfall over the next few days, authorities on Sunday announced temporary suspension of the Amarnath Yatra line from Pahalgam and Baltal roads, PTI reported.
Officials said no movement would be allowed from Baltal and Noonwan/Chandanwari base camps in Kashmir region, and from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas camp in Jammu.
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“In view of the inclement weather forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Shri Amarnathji Yatra will remain temporarily suspended at all base camps, including Pahalgam and Baltal routes, from 19.07.2026 as a precautionary measure to ensure safety and well-being of pilgrims,” an official was quoted as saying.
“Updates regarding resumption of (Amarnath) Yatra will be issued in due course after ensuring road safety and comprehensive assessment of weather conditions,” he said.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra has also been suspended due to adverse weather conditions prevailing in Katra and Trikuta Hills. The Hajj has been temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of worshipers amid bad weather conditions.
CM Omar takes a short trip to Delhi
Following heavy rains in Jammu province, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he cut short his trip to Delhi to return to Jammu on Sunday afternoon as the situation appeared to be worsening.
In a post on X, Abdullah said he would monitor the situation on the ground himself.
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“In view of the warning issued by the Meteorological Department and the seriousness of the situation in parts of Jammu district, I will leave Delhi to head to Jammu this afternoon to personally monitor the situation on the ground,” the Prime Minister said.
“Since first light this morning, I have been closely monitoring the situation caused by extremely heavy rains in parts of Jammu, especially Rajouri town and its surrounding areas. I have been in touch with local district authorities in the area. As the situation continues to unfold, the administration’s first priority is to protect precious lives. The government will do everything in its power to aid and assist the affected people who have suffered loss/damage of property due to rain and flash floods,” he said.
Omar arrived in Delhi on Saturday as part of the National Conference’s July protest demanding statehood, which Omar said would continue as scheduled under the leadership of National Conference president Farooq Abdullah.
What we know about flash flood victims in Poonch
Four people, including three women, died in Poonch due to the rains that caused devastation.
A 28-year-old woman named Nazia Kausar was killed when her house collapsed in Nonabandi village. Press Ti reported, citing officials, that her husband, Muhammad Hafez, and three children, aged between two and six, were rescued with injuries and taken to hospital.
In Lower Mora district, a landslide hit another house, leaving its owner, Mohammed Latif, and five other family members missing. Officials said search and rescue operations were underway when the latest reports came in.
Officials said a young girl named Iram drowned in a river in Marhot, while the body of an unidentified woman was recovered from a stream near Dundak Lathong Bridge.
