Monsoon Fury: Deadly Flash Floods and Landslides Ravage Jammu & Kashmir, Nagaland

Heavy monsoon rains have unleashed deadly flash floods and landslides across parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Nagaland, claiming at least 25 lives and leaving several missing. The disaster, concentrated in J&K's Poonch and Rajouri district and Nagaland Mon district, has swept away vehicles, damaged homes, and disrupted essential services, pushing authorities into high-alert rescue operations. The relentless downpour, fuelled by an active monsoon trough, led to cloudburst and overflowing rivers like the Darhali in J&K's Rajouri, inundating low-lying areas including a major bus stand. In Nagaland Mon, multiple landslides, particularly impacting Mon town and Tizit, washed away houses and injured dozens, prompting the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority to issue a high alert. This severe weather has also temporarily halted the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage, underscoring the widespread disruption. Rescue efforts by multi-agency teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), are battling continuous rain that hampers operations, especially in Poonch and Rajouri. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio have announced ex-gratia relief for the deceased's families and are overseeing the situation, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warns of sustained heavy rainfall across North and Northeast India until July 23. Residents in affected zones are urged to remain vigilant as the monsoon fury shows no immediate signs of easing.