Heavy rain on Monday severely hampered rescue operations in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch and Rajouri districts, a day after flash floods and landslides claimed 12 lives and left several others missing.
The latest downpour started around 3 a.m. in the two border districts and persisted, complicating search efforts in the impacted zones, officials said.
Swollen streams, slippery ground and reduced visibility slowed the progress of rescue teams working to locate the missing.
At least 12 people died in separate rain-related incidents across the districts on Sunday, while seven others remain unaccounted for, including a Jal Shakti Department employee.
Police, Army, SDRF, Civil Defence personnel and local volunteers pressed on with operations despite the difficult conditions, officials added.
Continued rainfall has raised fears of further landslides and floods, with warnings issued to residents in at-risk areas.
The administration is monitoring developments closely, officials stated.
The Meteorological Department has predicted moderate to heavy rain across Jammu and Kashmir until July 23, leading district authorities to advise caution near rivers and streams.
Moderate to heavy showers occurred in Jammu and other districts without immediate reports of further casualties or damage.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed district administrations on Sunday to provide situation updates every six hours until July 24 for better coordination.
He also reviewed preparedness for weather-related incidents statewide.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹6 lakh to families of those killed in the rain-related incidents in Rajouri and Poonch.
Expressing sorrow over the deaths from floods and landslides, the Chief Minister noted that while financial aid cannot replace the loss, the government supports the affected families.
The relief includes ₹4 lakh from the State Disaster Response Fund and ₹2 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
