Daijiworld Media Network - Jammu
Jammu, Jul 20: Seven people lost their lives after a landslide triggered by continuous heavy rainfall struck the Loran-Dumilan area of Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Monday, further worsening the devastation caused by two days of torrential rain across the Jammu region.
Officials said the landslide occurred amid incessant rainfall, burying several people under debris. Rescue teams recovered seven bodies from the site, while search operations are continuing to locate anyone who may still be missing.
Residents said mosque loudspeakers were used to warn people about the threat posed by flash floods and landslides as the weather situation deteriorated rapidly. Following the incident, personnel from the police, civil administration, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local volunteers rushed to the affected area and launched rescue efforts.
Authorities are continuing to assess the extent of the damage even as rescue and relief operations remain underway.
The latest tragedy comes a day after widespread flash floods caused by torrential rain claimed at least 17 lives in several parts of the Jammu division, particularly in the districts of Poonch and Rajouri.
With the seven fatalities reported on Monday, the death toll from rain-related disasters across the Jammu region over the past two days has risen to 26, according to officials.
Heavy rainfall has continued to trigger flash floods and landslides across Poonch and Rajouri, causing extensive damage to homes, roads and public infrastructure while disrupting normal life.
In response to the tragedy, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced an ex gratia assistance of Rs 6 lakh for the families of each person who died in flash floods, landslides and other rain-related incidents in Rajouri and Poonch.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister said that while financial aid could never compensate for the loss of loved ones, the assistance was intended to provide immediate support to the bereaved families.
He said the compensation package includes Rs 4 lakh from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and an additional Rs 2 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF).
The relief announcement follows a series of rain-triggered disasters that have left a trail of destruction across parts of Jammu and Kashmir, with authorities continuing rescue operations and damage assessment in the worst-hit areas.