Jammu and Kashmir Rain Fury: 23 Dead in Two Days as Cloudbursts Trigger Flash Floods

Torrential rain, cloudbursts and flash floods have left a trail of destruction across Jammu and Kashmir, with at least 23 people losing their lives over the past two days. The worst-hit districts include Poonch, Rajouri and Doda, where overflowing streams, landslides and collapsing houses have devastated entire communities and forced hundreds of residents to flee to safer areas.

Shocking visuals shared from the affected areas showed cars, buses and trucks being swept away by raging floodwaters, with many describing the vehicles as being tossed around "like toys." Roads, bridges, homes and public infrastructure have suffered extensive damage, disrupting transport and communication across several parts of the Union Territory.

Poonch and Rajouri Bear the Brunt

Poonch district has emerged as the epicenter of the disaster. Continuous heavy rainfall triggered multiple cloudbursts and landslides, washing away homes and trapping families under debris. Rescue workers have been racing against time to locate survivors, while many villages remain cut off due to damaged roads and swollen rivers.

Rajouri has also witnessed severe flooding after rivers overflowed their banks. Markets, bus stands and residential colonies were inundated within minutes. Dozens of vehicles were swept away, while several others remained submerged as water levels rose rapidly following intense rainfall.

Rescue Operations Continue Amid Challenging Conditions

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indian Army, police and local administration have been deployed across the affected districts. Rescue personnel have been using boats and heavy machinery to evacuate stranded residents and recover those trapped beneath collapsed structures.