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Woman Killed, Husband, Two Children Injured as House Collapses in J-K’s Poonch Amid Heavy Rains

REpresentational Image

Shivam Bakshi

Poonch, July 19 (NVI): A 28-year-old woman was killed while her husband and two minor children were injured after their house collapsed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Sunday amid inclement weather, officials said.

The incident took place in Nonabandi village when the residential house suddenly collapsed, trapping the family members under the debris, they said.

The woman, identified as Nazia Kousar, wife of Mohd Hafiz, was rushed to the District Hospital in Poonch, where doctors declared her brought dead, the officials said.

Her husband, Mohd Hafiz (36), and their two children, Rehan Hafiz (5) and Marya Hafiz (2), sustained injuries and are undergoing treatment at the hospital, they added.

Police have taken cognisance of the incident and initiated further investigation, officials said.(NVI)

Missing Woman’s Body Recovered After J-K Rajouri Flash Floods

Shivam Bakshi

Rajouri, July 19 (NVI): A woman who was swept away in flash flood-like conditions triggered by heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district was found dead on Sunday, officials said.

The deceased was identified as Pinki Devi, who had gone missing after being washed away by strong floodwaters following heavy rains in the district, they said.

After an intensive search operation, rescue teams recovered her body and shifted it for medico-legal formalities, the officials said.

Police have taken cognisance of the incident and initiated further legal proceedings, they added.(NVI)

CM Omar Abdullah Cuts Short Delhi Visit, Returns to Jammu Amid Heavy Rain Alert
Statehood Protest to Continue Under Farooq Abdullah's Leadership

File Photo : CM Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, July 19 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said he was cutting short his visit to New Delhi and returning to Jammu to personally monitor the weather situation following heavy rain warnings and adverse conditions in parts of the Jammu division.

In a post on X, Abdullah said the decision was taken in view of the weather advisory issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the evolving situation in the region.

“In light of 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,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the National Conference’s scheduled protest in New Delhi seeking restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood would continue as planned under the leadership of the party president, Dr Farooq Abdullah.

“The statehood protest will go ahead under the leadership of JKNC President Dr Farooq Abdullah as planned,” Omar Abdullah said.(NVI)

CM Omar Abdullah Monitors J&K Rajouri Flood Situation, Assures Full Government Support

CM Omar Abdullah

Shivam Bakshi

Srinagar, July 19 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said the government is closely monitoring the situation in Rajouri and other parts of the Jammu region following heavy rainfall that triggered flash floods and caused widespread disruption.

In a post on X, Abdullah said he has been in constant touch with local legislators since early Sunday to assess the ground situation and ensure a prompt administrative response.

The chief minister said protecting human lives remains the government’s top priority and directed the administration to ensure swift rescue and relief operations in the affected areas.

“The government will do everything possible to aid and assist affected people who have suffered property loss or damage due to the heavy rains and flash floods,” Abdullah said, assuring all possible support to the affected families.

He also instructed officials to remain on high alert and respond quickly to any emergency arising from the prevailing weather conditions.

Authorities are monitoring the situation in Rajouri and other affected areas, while rescue, relief and restoration work is underway to minimise the impact of the heavy rainfall and ensure the safety of residents, officials said.(NVI)

J&K Rajouri Hit by Flash Floods After Cloudburst, Rescue Teams Deployed

Shivam Bakshi

Rajouri, July 19 (NVI): Heavy rainfall triggered flash floods and a cloudburst in parts of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district on Sunday, inundating residential areas, sweeping away vehicles and trapping several people, officials said.

The overflowing Rajouri river entered Bela Colony, flooding the locality and washing away several vehicles parked at the Bela Bus Stand, they said.
Officials said several families remained trapped in Bela Colony, while livestock losses were also reported from Bela and adjoining areas.

In Thanamandi subdivision, flash floods hit the Churung, Rajdhani and Behrote areas. Labourers working at a stone crusher unit in Behrote were reportedly trapped after the sudden surge in water, officials said.

Meanwhile, a cloudburst in the Kotli Kalaban and Golinari areas of Manjakote tehsil triggered flash floods that washed away a local graveyard into a nearby stream, damaging several graves and causing distress among residents.

Rescue and relief teams have been deployed to the affected areas, while authorities have advised people living in low-lying areas and near water bodies to remain alert.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a weather advisory on Saturday warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall and the possibility of flash floods across parts of the Jammu region.(NVI)

Vaishno Devi Yatra Temporarily Suspended Due to Bad Weather Forecast

Jammu, Jul 18 (NVI): The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra has been temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure in view of an adverse weather advisory issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), officials said on Saturday.

The decision was taken to ensure the safety and well-being of pilgrims after the IMD forecast unfavourable weather conditions in the region.

Authorities have advised devotees to cooperate with the administration and refrain from undertaking the pilgrimage until further orders.

Pilgrims have also been urged to follow official communication channels for updates regarding the resumption of the yatra, the officials said.(NVI)

Heatwave Extends Summer Break; J&K Schools Shut Till July 22

Srinagar, Jul 18 (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday extended the ongoing summer vacation in all government and recognised private schools across the Kashmir division and winter zone of Jammu division by three more days in view of the prevailing heatwave and an adverse weather forecast.

According to an order issued by the School Education Department, schools will now remain closed till July 22 and reopen on July 23, unless further orders are issued.

The schools were originally scheduled to reopen on July 20 after the summer break.

Officials said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure in view of the continuing heatwave and weather advisories issued by the Meteorological Department.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall at isolated places and warned of the possibility of flash floods in parts of Jammu and Kashmir over the coming days.

The School Education Department advised parents, students and school authorities to follow official advisories and said any further decision regarding the reopening of schools would be communicated through subsequent orders.(NVI)

Chinar Book Festival a movement to build readers, writers and thinkers: J&K LG Sinha

Srinagar, Jul 18 (NVI): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said the Chinar Book Festival is more than a literary event and has evolved into a movement to build a vibrant community of readers, writers and thinkers in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing the third edition of the Chinar Book Festival here, Sinha said the initiative aims to transform Jammu and Kashmir into a national hub of knowledge, literature and creativity.

Congratulating the National Book Trust and the organisers, he said the festival has emerged as an important platform for knowledge-sharing, literary engagement and cultural exchange.

“This festival is more than just an event. It is a movement to build a vibrant community of readers, writers and thinkers. Our goal is to transform Jammu and Kashmir into a national hub for knowledge, culture and creativity,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Sinha urged the youth to cultivate the habit of reading every day, preserve endangered languages and use literature as a means to promote diversity, mutual respect and social harmony.

He said books encourage critical thinking, spark curiosity and inspire personal growth, adding that literature plays a vital role in strengthening society’s intellectual foundations.

The Lieutenant Governor said the Chinar Book Festival has, in a short span, become a significant platform for the exchange of ideas, literary discussions and creative dialogue. He also stressed the need to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s historical identity as a centre of learning and literature.

Highlighting the importance of the festival, Sinha said its success should be measured not merely by the number of books sold but by the ideas it generates and the impact those ideas have on society and educational institutions.

Encouraging students to develop reading habits, he suggested that every student should read at least one book outside the academic curriculum every month, while aspiring writers should dedicate themselves to writing at least one page every day.

The Lieutenant Governor also appreciated efforts to revive the ancient Sharada script and initiatives promoting cultural integration, including programmes under the “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” initiative.

During his visit, Sinha toured various book stalls, interacted with exhibitors, released several publications in different languages and suggested that a similar book festival be organised in the Jammu region.

Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, National Book Trust Chairman Prof Milind Sudhakar Marathe, National Book Trust Director Yuvraj Malik and several senior officials, literary personalities, students and book lovers were present on the occasion.(NVI)

Operation Sindoor showcased India’s defence preparedness, self-reliance: Rajnath Singh

Rajnath
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (file pic)

New Delhi, Jul 18 (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s “world-class” defence preparedness and highlighted the success of the government’s push for self-reliance in the defence sector over the past 12 years.

Addressing an event here, Singh said the operation reflected the armed forces’ preparedness and the government’s “Nation First” and “Forces First” approach.

He said advanced indigenous systems, including the Akash missile system, Akash Teer air defence system and BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, were effectively deployed during the operation, which he described as an example of modern technological warfare and India’s growing defence manufacturing capabilities.

Referring to the government’s policy against terrorism, the defence minister said Operation Sindoor reaffirmed India’s “zero tolerance” approach and demonstrated the country’s capability to strike terrorists and their supporters wherever required.

Highlighting the government’s efforts to boost indigenous defence production, Singh said five positive indigenisation lists issued by the armed forces cover 509 items, while five similar lists issued by defence public sector undertakings include 5,012 items. He added that another positive indigenisation list would be notified soon.

The minister said India’s annual defence production touched a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26, compared to around Rs 40,000 crore in 2014. Defence exports have also risen to over Rs 38,000 crore from Rs 686 crore in 2013-14, he said.

Singh said the government aims to increase defence production to over Rs 2 lakh crore this year and Rs 3 lakh crore by 2029, while targeting defence exports of Rs 50,000 crore by 2029.

He said procurement worth more than Rs 2,400 crore has been approved from startups and MSMEs, projects worth Rs 1,500 crore have been sanctioned for developing new technologies, and 676 startups and innovators are currently engaged through the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, under which 551 contracts have been signed.

The minister also said investment proposals worth around Rs 70,000 crore have been received for the defence industrial corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, of which nearly Rs 10,000 crore has already been invested.

Stressing that India has moved from dependence on imports to self-reliance in defence manufacturing, Singh said the country’s defence diplomacy now extends beyond strategic cooperation to industrial collaboration, technology partnerships and integration into global supply chains.

He said the government’s vision is to build an “Aatmanirbhar” and “Viksit Bharat” by 2047 with indigenous weapons, empowered scientists, innovative youth and globally competitive defence industries.(NVI)

Heavy to very heavy rain likely in J-K from July 19-23; MeT warns of flash floods, landslides

File photo

Srinagar, July 18 (NVI): The Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across parts of Jammu and Kashmir from July 19 to 23, warning of flash floods, landslides, mudslides and waterlogging in vulnerable areas, officials said on Saturday.

According to the MeT Department, July 18 is expected to remain generally hot and humid, with brief spells of rain or intense thundershowers at scattered places towards late afternoon and during the night or early morning hours.

From July 19 to 23, the weather is likely to remain generally cloudy with spells of rain and thundershowers at most places across the Union Territory.

The department said heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected over Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Rajouri, Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar districts, while extremely heavy rainfall is possible at isolated places in Reasi and Udhampur districts during the period.

The MeT Department has cautioned that the wet spell could trigger flash floods, landslides and mudslides at vulnerable locations. It also warned of a significant rise in water levels in rivers and streams, with the possibility of minor flooding and waterlogging in low-lying areas.

The weather is expected to improve from July 24 to 27, with only brief spells of rain or thundershowers at isolated places.

Authorities have advised people to remain vigilant, follow weather advisories and plan travel accordingly. Farmers have also been advised to suspend agricultural operations during the July 19-23 period.(NVI)

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