Jammu and Kashmir have been severely affected by relentless rain and snowfall, leading to multiple fatalities, infrastructural damage, and disruptions in transportation.
As per reports, three individuals have tragically lost their lives, while three others are feared to have been swept away in the Suran River in the Jammu division.
Temple damaged in Samba due to lightning strike
In the Samba district, a temple suffered significant damage after being struck by lightning. The incident occurred following an intense downpour, further exacerbating the already challenging weather conditions in the region.
Authorities are assessing the extent of the damage to determine necessary restoration efforts.
Jammu-Srinagar NH shut down amid landslides and shooting stones
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, a crucial roadway linking the region, was closed on Thursday due to landslides and shooting stones in several locations within the Ramban sector.
Officials reported that the debris and continuous rockfalls have made travel unsafe, forcing authorities to suspend vehicular movement until the situation stabilises and clearance operations are completed.
Additionally, the Jammu-Kishtwar highway faced a prolonged blockage of over five hours today near Faggumarh (Drabshalla), approximately 18 kilometers short of Kishtwar. The blockage resulted from a landslide early in the morning, causing significant delays and disruptions for commuters.
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One killed, two injured in Poonch after vehicle struck by boulder
A tragic accident was reported from the Madana area of Poonch, where a private Scorpio vehicle, hired by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), was hit by a falling boulder during heavy rainfall. The incident occurred while the vehicle was en route to Surankote from Poonch.
The driver, identified as Wahid Ahmed, son of Abdul Gani and a resident of Jarran Wali Gali in Poonch, was killed on the spot. His body was trapped inside the vehicle and was extricated after significant efforts by the police and rescue teams.
Two CRPF personnel onboard, identified as Constables Deepak Kumar and Mohinder Kumar, sustained serious injuries and were promptly transported to Surankote Hospital for medical treatment.
Due to the severity of the rockfall and the resulting damage, the road remained closed for more than two hours before authorities managed to clear the debris and restore movement.
Tragic accident in Surankote: Tipper falls into gorge, killing driver
Another unfortunate incident occurred in the Bafliaz area of Surankote in Poonch, where a Tipper vehicle lost control and slipped into a deep gorge amid heavy rainfall.
The driver was killed instantly, while the helper accompanying him sustained injuries. Emergency services responded swiftly, transporting the injured helper to a local hospital in Surankote, while the driver's body was taken to the Sub-District Hospital (SDH) in Surankote for further procedures.
Also Read: Avalanche alert in six J&K districts as snowfall continues
14-year-old boy washed away in Reasi district
In a separate distressing incident, a 14-year-old boy named Paviter Singh, son of Suraj Singh and a resident of Tuli, Chassana, lost his life after being swept away in the overflowing Sangoor Nallah in Chassana Tehsil of Reasi district.
The tragic accident happened while Paviter Singh was returning home with a relative. Due to heavy downpours, the nallah had swelled beyond its usual levels, creating a hazardous situation. Singh accidentally slipped and was carried away by the forceful currents.
A frantic search operation ensued, and after an extensive effort, his body was recovered further downstream.
Authorities later transported his remains to the Community Health Center (CHC) in Chassana for a post-mortem examination. Law enforcement agencies have taken cognizance of the matter and are investigating the circumstances leading to the incident.
Authorities urge caution amid severe weather conditions
Given the extreme weather conditions, officials have urged residents to exercise caution, particularly in vulnerable areas prone to landslides and flash floods. Rescue teams and disaster management units are on high alert, and efforts are underway to clear blocked roads and provide assistance to affected families.
The region remains on edge as authorities closely monitor weather forecasts, urging travelers to avoid unnecessary journeys until conditions improve. The government has also appealed to citizens to report any emergencies and seek shelter in safer areas until the weather stabilises.
Also Read: Snowfall disrupts flight operations at Srinagar airport