WEBDESK: Heavy rains and flooding have caused significant damage across Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK). According to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), nine people have died, four were injured, and dozens of houses and other infrastructure were damaged.
In Sudhnoti, one person died and one was injured. Five houses were completely destroyed and one partially damaged in villages including Betraan Ghanas, Talawari, Jhanda Bagla, and Khanaabad.
In Jhelum Valley, one person died due to boulder falls and two were injured. Six houses were fully and 11 partially damaged. Eight shops, seven water mills, one school, one mosque, and three motorbikes were also destroyed in villages such as Gehal, Chakothi, and Hattiian.
In Muzaffarabad, flooding destroyed four houses, 10 shops, one school, one bridge, and three water mills in Machiyara village. Cloudbursts in Narian Sarli Sachian village killed six people and injured one.
In Bagh District, one woman died when a house collapsed. Seven houses were fully damaged, two partially damaged, along with shops, a service station, electricity poles, a vehicle, and 2 km of road. Other districts, including Neelum, Mirpur, Poonch, and Bhimber, also saw bridges, houses, and other structures damaged.
Rescue operations have been ongoing. In Neelum, 500 tourists stranded near Rattigali Lake were rescued, while 300 remain trapped. In Poonch, three individuals stranded in Chattra Nullah were saved. Multiple individuals were rescued from rivers in Kotli, and tourists in Bagh and Haveli were also brought to safety.
Roads in several districts were blocked due to landslides and flooding. Clearance work is underway. Most main roads across Azaad Kashmir are open to traffic.
Current river flows remain high. Jhelum River at Domail Point recorded 13,508 cusecs, and Poonch River at Kotli Point 32,927 cusecs.
The next 24 hours weather conditions show warning of Rain, wind and thundershowers in isolated sections of Azad Kashmir.
Read more: Cloudbursts hit Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir: heavy rain hits several parts of Pakistan
