Torrential Rains Batter J&K, At Least 32 People Dead

Thousands of people were rescued from low-lying areas as heavy rains continued for the fourth consecutive day in most parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. A rescue operation is still underway in Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine route near Adhkuwari where a landslide claimed the lives of nine pilgrims, while injuring 21 others, PTI reported citing officials. 

At least 30 people have been killed following four days of relentless rain that has triggered flash floods, landslides, and cloudbursts across the region.

The incessant rains have led to the water levels of almost all rivers including Tawi, Chenab, Ujh, Ravi and Basanter rising several feet above the danger level.

The rains extended into the Kashmir Valley overnight, swelling rivers and streams. The Jhelum river crossed the flood-alert mark of 21 feet at Sangam in Anantnag district, raising concerns of inundation in low-lying areas.

Downstream in Srinagar, at Ram Munshi Bagh, the water level stood just two feet below the flood-alert threshold of 18 feet on Wednesday morning.

Heavy rains also marked their presence in the Kishtwar district where flash floods washed away 10 residential houses and a bridge in remote Margi area of the Kishtwar district, but there was no immediate report of any casualty. Mughal Maidan bridge in Kishtwar also collapsed following heavy rainfall.

August 26 PTI visuals of Jammu show that Har Ki Pauri temple was submerged after incessant rain. Visuals from Gadigarh area of Jammu show inundated residential colonies as people are being rescued by the Indian Army.

More than 12 paramilitary personnel were also trapped in the flooded Lakhanpur village in the Kathua district, and efforts are on to shift them to safety, officials said.Several houses and bridges were also damaged due to the rains. 

Internet connectivity remains affected due to "fiber cuts at multiple locations".

Other areas in India have also experienced flood-like situations. As many as 22 CRPF personnel and three civilians were evacuated from a flooded village in Punjab by an Army helicopter on Wednesday morning, minutes before the building they were sheltering in collapsed, a defence spokesperson said.

Incessant heavy rain in parts of Punjab has triggered flash floods in various areas, with the Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers and seasonal rivulets in spate.

With PTI inputs