Jammu Floods Kill 11, Halt Amarnath Pilgrimage

Rajouri MLA Iftikhar Ahmad told businessline that more than 150 vehicles were swept away and property worth crores of rupees was damaged in the district. "A local bus stand where vehicles had been parked was washed away, while floodwaters damaged several commercial establishments," Ahmad said. He added that residents living along riverbanks had been shifted to safer locations and a rehabilitation centre had been set up at the Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Rajouri.

Authorities temporarily suspended the Amarnath Yatra because of the weather. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg said no fresh batch of pilgrims would be allowed to proceed from the Baltal, Nunwan and Chandanwari base camps until conditions improved.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah cut short his visit to New Delhi, where he was scheduled to lead the National Conference's statehood protest on July 20, and returned to Jammu to monitor the situation. He said the protest would go ahead under the leadership of party president Farooq Abdullah. "Amid the weather warning put out by the meteorological department and the seriousness of the situation unfolding across parts of Jammu division, I will leave Delhi to fly to Jammu this afternoon to personally monitor the situation on the ground," Abdullah posted on X.