11 Dead in J&K Flash Floods, Vehicles Swept Away in Rajouri

At least 11 people have died after flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall swept through parts of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir. Several vehicles were washed away as the sudden deluge wreaked havoc in multiple areas.

The downpour, which began late Saturday evening, caused rivers and streams to swell rapidly. Water gushed into low-lying localities, catching many residents and commuters off guard.

Vehicles Swept Away, Houses Damaged

Rescue teams have retrieved 11 bodies so far. Officials said the toll could rise as search operations continue in the worst-affected pockets. Several vehicles parked along roadsides or caught in transit were swept away by the force of the water.

Visuals from the affected areas showed mangled vehicles lodged against trees and debris. Houses near water channels suffered structural damage. Many families have been moved to safer locations.

In neighbouring Poonch district, landslides and flash floods have added to the destruction. Reports indicate at least eight deaths in Poonch, with six people still missing. Authorities are struggling to reach cut-off hamlets as roads remain blocked by debris.

CM Omar Abdullah to Cut Short Delhi Visit

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has decided to return to Jammu from New Delhi to personally monitor the flood relief operations. He was in the capital for a series of meetings.

His father, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, is expected to lead a planned protest in Delhi demanding statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. The political leadership remains focused on the disaster even as the protest goes ahead.

The state government has pressed the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local police into rescue and relief work. Army columns have also been deployed in the worst-hit areas to assist with evacuation.

Monsoon Fury Across North and East India

The flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir are part of a wider pattern of intense monsoon rain across northern and eastern India. At least 16 people have died in rain-related incidents in the region over the past 24 hours.

In several states, swollen rivers have inundated farmland and disrupted rail and road traffic. The India Meteorological Department has warned of more heavy rain in parts of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and the plains of Uttar Pradesh over the next two days.

Local administrations have been put on alert. Evacuation orders are in place for residents living along riverbanks and in landslide-prone zones.

What to Watch

Rescuers will work through the night to reach isolated villages as weather conditions are expected to remain volatile. Officials have yet to confirm the full number of missing persons. The next 48 hours will be critical in determining the scale of the disaster and the speed of relief operations.