NEW DELHI: At least three people were killed and two others remain missing after a cloudburst triggered flash floods in the remote Rajgarh area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district, officials said on Friday.
According to the district administration, torrential rains overnight caused flooding in the mountainous region, located around 25 km from Ramban town. “Three people have died due to heavy rains and flash floods in Rajgarh. Two people are reported missing, and a rescue operation is underway,” officials told ANI.
The bodies of the deceased — including two women — were recovered after they were swept away by the floods, PTI reported. Rescue teams are continuing the search for those still missing.
Heavy Rainfall Warning
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast isolated heavy rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir between August 30 and September 2. Light to moderate showers are also likely in parts of Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, and Uttarakhand over the next four days.
IAF Steps Up Rescue Efforts
Meanwhile, the defence ministry said the Indian Air Force (IAF) has intensified flood relief operations across northern India, with a primary focus on badly hit areas of Jammu and Punjab.
In the past three days, more than 55 sorties have been carried out by Mi-17 and Chinook helicopters to evacuate stranded civilians, including Army and BSF personnel, from inundated areas in Dera Baba Nanak, Pathankot, and Akhnoor sectors.
To speed up the deployment of specialised National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, C-130 transport aircraft have also been pressed into service. The IAF reported that 215 people have been rescued and 7,300 kg of essential relief supplies delivered in the affected regions.
