An Agniveer from the Indian Army has tragically lost his life while serving during the flood crisis in the Akhnoor district of Jammu. His mortal remains were sent back to his home with full military honors on Saturday. The deceased soldier was Jimmy Gaminlun Met, a native of Manipur. On August 26th, the Chenab River in Akhnoor surged dramatically, exceeding the danger level by 14 feet. During an Anti-Flood operation launched by the army, Jimmy Gaminlun was swept away by the powerful currents.
Another soldier has perished while defending the nation in Paragwal, adding to the toll of the disaster. Previously, Constable Rajib Nunia of the BSF’s 195th Battalion also lost his life in the line of duty.
Jimmy Gaminlun Met originated from the Silchar area of Assam. Concurrently, the Jammu region is battling other weather-related tragedies. Cloudbursts in the Ramban district have resulted in three fatalities, while a landslide in Mahaur, Reasi district, has claimed seven lives. The combined impact of flooding, intense rainfall, and cloudbursts since Monday has resulted in a devastating 54 deaths.
In response to the unfolding crisis, extensive relief and rescue operations are underway. The water levels in all the rivers within the Jammu division have now fallen below the designated danger mark. The Army, Air Force, NDRF, SDRF, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and various other agencies are working in unison to support the residents impacted by the unprecedented flooding.
The weather forecast for the coming 24 hours predicts generally cloudy conditions with scattered showers and thunderstorms in the Jammu region and isolated showers in parts of Kashmir. This unstable weather pattern is anticipated to persist until September 5th.
Rescue operations continue along the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage route, specifically at Ardhkuwari, where a landslide occurred on Tuesday. The pilgrimage has been temporarily suspended for the next three days. All educational institutions across the Jammu division will remain closed until August 30th, prioritizing the safety of students and staff.
The crucial Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, particularly the stretch between Udhampur and Chenani, remains closed for a fourth consecutive day due to multiple landslides, leaving over 500-600 vehicles stranded. The Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag highway is also inaccessible. Limited access, restricted to Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs), is permitted on the Mughal Road between Shopian (Kashmir) and Poonch (Jammu). Additionally, the Srinagar-Leh and Srinagar-Gurez routes are shut down due to recent snowfall.
Rail services in the Jammu division face ongoing disruption. Northern Railway has cancelled 40 scheduled trains to and from Jammu, with 12 other trains being either terminated mid-route or rerouted. Special trains have been deployed to assist stranded passengers.
According to officials, rail traffic is expected to be interrupted for several days in different locations, including cracks at bridge number 17 on the Kathua-Madhopur Punjab Downline due to sudden floods and soil erosion.
