Overnight rain brings J&K's Rajouri to a standstill as flash floods wreak havoc

Heavy overnight rain on July 18-19, 2026 triggered flash floods in Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir, causing rivers to overflow and flooding low-lying areas.

More than 50 families near Abdullah Bridge and another locality near Tariq Bridge were evacuated to safer places after floodwaters entered settlements.

The Darhali, Khandli, Suktoh, and Jamola rivers overflowed, with the Darhali breaching a flood protection wall near Bela Colony and flooding the new bus stand, sweeping away or submerging dozens of vehicles.

Congress MLA Iftkhar Ahmad returned from a party protest to Rajouri to assist, urging immediate relief and rehabilitation work, and reported extensive damage to public and private property.

The India Meteorological Department forecast moderate to heavy rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir until July 23, and police teams patrolled flood-prone areas, issuing evacuation advisories.