Rajouri (Rajeev Sharma): Flash floods triggered by intense overnight rainfall caused widespread destruction in the Darhali Atti region of Jammu and Kashmir, inundating homes, damaging infrastructure and washing away large stretches of agricultural land. Although no fatalities have been reported, residents say the disaster has left dozens of families facing heavy financial losses and displacement.
The sudden rise in water levels caught villagers by surprise, forcing many families to flee their homes during the early hours of the morning. Floodwaters entered residential buildings, destroying household belongings and leaving several properties unfit for habitation.
Among those affected was local resident Sajid Malik, who said his family narrowly escaped after evacuating around 3:30 a.m. as water rapidly entered their home. He recalled that while family members managed to reach safety, several horses belonging to his relatives could not be rescued in time and perished in the floods.
Malik said the scale of flooding was unlike anything residents had experienced before, adding that livestock kept in lower-lying areas was severely affected. He also noted that fertile farmland across the locality had been washed away, leaving farmers with little hope of salvaging this season’s harvest.
Agricultural losses have been particularly severe, with standing rice and maize crops destroyed by the rushing water. Residents said the fields had been in good condition before the sudden flooding, and many families depended entirely on the harvest for their annual income.
The flooding has also displaced several households. While some families have found temporary refuge in government schools, others have moved into Panchayat buildings until conditions improve. Many said they had lost furniture, food supplies, clothing and other essential possessions after water submerged their homes.
Villagers have urged the administration to provide immediate relief, including food, shelter and financial assistance. They acknowledged that the full extent of the losses may never be recovered but appealed for compensation to help affected families rebuild their homes and restore their livelihoods.
Officials are assessing the damage across the affected villages, while disaster management teams continue monitoring vulnerable areas as rainfall is expected to persist in parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities have advised residents living near rivers and streams to remain vigilant and avoid flood-prone locations until weather conditions stabilise.
