Three days on, 23 dead, seven missing as heavy rain continues to batter Jammu region

Jammu: Heavy rainfall continued to batter large parts of the Jammu region on Tuesday, disrupting normal life and keeping authorities on high alert as the death toll from rain-related incidents over the past three days rose to 23, while seven people remain missing, officials said.

The worst-affected districts include Poonch, Rajouri and Doda, where cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides have caused widespread devastation since Sunday. Search and rescue operations were continuing in Poonch and Rajouri despite persistent rainfall.

The adverse weather also forced the suspension of all major pilgrimages, including the Amarnath Yatra, Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra, Shiv Khori Yatra and Machail Mata Yatra, for the third consecutive day. Authorities have advised pilgrims to remain at designated shelters until weather conditions improve and the routes are declared safe.

District administrations, disaster response teams, police and other agencies have been placed on maximum alert, with round-the-clock monitoring of vulnerable areas.

According to the Meteorological Department, Katra recorded the highest rainfall in the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Tuesday with 107.1 mm, followed by Poonch (61.5 mm), Reasi (54.5 mm), Rajouri (49 mm) and Jammu (35 mm).

The incessant rain triggered landslides, mudslides and shooting stones at several locations, disrupting traffic on highways and link roads. Waterlogging was also reported from several urban and rural areas, affecting movement and daily life. Restoration work is underway, although continuous rainfall has slowed efforts to clear debris and reopen roads.

The Meteorological Department has forecast moderate to heavy rainfall across the region until July 23. Authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from rivers, streams, water bodies and landslide-prone areas as a precaution.