7 killed in fresh landslide in J&K's Poonch
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Jammu: Seven people were killed after a fresh landslide triggered by heavy rainfall struck the Loran-Dumilan area of Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Monday, officials said.
According to officials, the landslide was caused by incessant rain. Seven bodies have been recovered so far, while search and rescue operations are continuing to trace any missing persons.
Residents said announcements were made through mosque loudspeakers to alert people as flash floods and landslides posed a serious threat across the area.
Police, the civil administration, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local volunteers rushed to the site and launched rescue operations.
Authorities are assessing the extent of the damage even as rescue efforts continue.
On Sunday, at least 17 people were killed and several others were reported missing after flash floods triggered by torrential rainfall devastated parts of the Jammu division, including Poonch and Rajouri.
With the nine deaths reported on Monday, the total toll in the Jammu region due to the two-day rain fury has risen to 26, officials added.
Flash floods caused by incessant rain have wreaked widespread havoc in the Poonch and Rajouri districts, with rescue operations continuing in the affected areas.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced an ex gratia relief of Rs 6 lakh for the next of kin of each person who died in flash floods, landslides and other rain-related incidents in Rajouri and Poonch.
In a post on X, Abdullah said no amount of financial assistance could compensate for the irreparable loss of lives, but the ex gratia had been announced as an immediate measure to support the bereaved families.
The relief 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 announcement follows flash floods, landslides and heavy rainfall that have claimed several lives and caused extensive damage to property and infrastructure across parts of Rajouri and Poonch.
With IANS inputs