Seven Dead as Fresh Landslide Batters Poonch Amid Torrential Jammu & Kashmir Rains

A fresh landslide in the Loran-Dumilan area of Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir, tragically claimed seven lives on Monday as incessant heavy rainfall continued to pummel the region. All seven bodies were recovered from a mud house buried under debris, with four of the victims identified as women. This devastating incident comes as Jammu and Kashmir faces a severe weather crisis, with torrential downpours triggering widespread flash floods and landslide since Sunday. The Pir Panjal Range, where Poonch is located, has been particularly vulnerable, experiencing continuous rainfall that has led to a rising death toll across the union territory, now exceeding 17 in rain-related incidents over the past two days. Experts point to the region's fragile Himalayan geology, combined with extreme weather events, as key factors amplifying the risk of such natural disasters. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued warnings for heavy to very heavy rainfall, with forecasts indicating active monsoon conditions are set to persist until at least July 23. Rescue operations are in full swing, with teams from the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and civil administration working tirelessly despite challenging conditions like swollen streams and poor visibility. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha are closely monitoring the situation, with an ex-gratia relief of ₹6 lakh announced for the families of the deceased. Amid the crisis, the annual Amarnath Yatra and other pilgrimages remain temporarily suspended, underscoring the severity of the weather. Authorities continue to issue advisories, urging residents to stay vigilant and avoid venturing near water bodies.