Nine killed in landslides, shooting stones in J&K

Nine people were killed in the Jammu division on Monday in landslides and shooting stones triggered by incessant rains in the Poonch and Doda districts.

Reports said seven persons, including two children and three women, were killed after a fresh landslide in the Loren-Dumilan area of the Poonch district and two others lost their lives and many people were injured when shooting stones hit a passenger bus in Jammu division’s Doda district. Officials said large boulders from a hill struck the passenger bus and multiple vehicles at Raggi Nallah in the Doda district.

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Seven bodies have been retrieved from debris by locals and men of the police and SDRF. Those killed in Loren have been identified as Tanveer Ahmad (27), Zaida Begum (38), Shamim Akhtar (33), Shabnam Bano (31), Mohammad Irfan (17), Manan Rafiq (6) and Aleesa (4). Manan Rafiq and Aleesa were children of Zahida Begum, all of three who were among those killed.
Seventeen persons were killed on Sunday and the death toll due to flash floods and landslides has risen to 26 since yesterday. At least 8 people were still missing.

In Doda, officials said, “The sudden slide of stones and debris caught the vehicles on the highway unawares, leading to casualties and damage. Rescue teams rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment. The highway has been closed to traffic due to mudslides and continuous shooting stones in the area.”

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has announced an ex gratia relief of Rs. 6 lakh for the next of kin of each person who lost his life in the rain-related incidents yesterday in Rajouri and Poonch districts, as an immediate measure to support the bereaved families.
The relief package comprises 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 announcement follows the high-level review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister on Sunday evening in the aftermath of the devastating flash floods and other rain-related incidents that struck the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch, resulting in multiple fatalities and widespread damage to public and private property.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also reviewed the situation following heavy rains, flash floods, and landslides in several districts of the Union Territory. He directed officials for swift relief and infrastructure restoration in affected areas.
The Amarnath and Vaishnodevi yatras remained suspended for the second day amid IMD’s forecast of heavy rainfall and flash floods till 23 July. The Vaishnodevi Shrine Board was providing free food to the stranded pilgrims.