Flash Floods Ravage Rajouri, Hundreds Evacuated as Heavy Rain Batters Region

Rajouri/Jammu, July 19: Incessant overnight rainfall triggered flash floods in Rajouri town on Sunday, forcing hundreds of residents to move to safer locations after floodwaters inundated several low-lying areas, including the new bus stand, officials said. Overflowing rivers and streams breached their banks, sweeping away or submerging dozens of vehicles and causing widespread disruption across the town. Rescue and relief teams, assisted by the district administration and police, launched evacuation operations and began assessing the damage. Officials said the immediate priority was to ensure the safety of residents. Rajouri witnessed relentless rainfall from Saturday evening, with rivers including the Darhali, Khandli, Suktoh and Jamola flowing close to or above the danger mark. The Darhali River breached a flood protection wall near Bela Colony, allowing floodwaters to enter the new bus stand area. More than 50 families living in a slum settlement near Abdullah Bridge were evacuated after floodwaters entered their homes. The locality near Tariq Bridge was also inundated, prompting police to respond to multiple distress calls and assist residents in moving to safer places. “Our teams are responding to almost every SOS call. At this stage, our priority is to prevent any loss of life. While there has been significant damage to property, the extent of the losses will be assessed once the floodwaters recede,” a police official said. Police patrolled vulnerable areas, issued public announcements, and urged people living along riverbanks and in low-lying localities to evacuate immediately. The district administration also issued an advisory asking residents to remain vigilant, while control rooms have been set up to monitor the situation and coordinate relief efforts. Rajouri MLA Iftkhar Ahmad, who was scheduled to attend his party’s protest in Jammu demanding the restoration of statehood, returned to Rajouri to oversee the situation. “I have abandoned my party programme to stand with my people, as the flash floods have caused extensive damage to public and private property,” Ahmad said, urging the administration to expedite relief and rehabilitation measures for affected families.