Heavy rains claim 22 lives across Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Nagaland

Relentless monsoon rains caused widespread destruction across several parts of India, claiming at least 22 lives in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Nagaland. Landslides, flash floods, lightning strikes and road accidents triggered by continuous rainfall disrupted normal life, damaged infrastructure and left many families grieving.

The tragedy unfolded as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that monsoon activity is expected to intensify across northwestern and northeastern India during the week. Weather officials said active weather systems and the movement of the monsoon trough toward its normal position are likely to bring more rainfall in the coming days.

Authorities across the affected states have launched rescue and relief operations, while governments have appealed to people living in vulnerable areas to remain alert and follow safety advisories.

Jammu and Kashmir suffers the worst impact

Jammu and Kashmir emerged as the worst-affected region, with 11 people losing their lives in fresh rain-related incidents on Monday alone.

One of the most tragic incidents occurred in the remote Loran area of Poonch district. Heavy rainfall triggered a landslide that crashed into a mud house, burying several members of a family under debris. Seven people died in the accident before rescue teams could reach them.

According to local police officials, the landslide struck the house in the early hours of the morning when the family was asleep. The force of the falling earth and rocks left little chance for escape.

In another incident, a passenger bus travelling on the Jammu-Kishtwar National Highway in Doda district was struck by a large rock that rolled down from a hillside. The accident killed two passengers and injured six others.

Officials said the bus was passing through a vulnerable stretch near Raggi Nallah when the rock hit the vehicle. Rescue teams quickly rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Heavy rains also caused isolated tragedies in other parts of the region. In Kashtigarh, a woman named Shiv Devi lost her life after being struck by a falling stone near her home.

Meanwhile, the body of Vikas Ahmed, who had been swept away by flash floods, was recovered in Rajouri town. Search operations continue in some areas where people are still feared missing.

The recent spell of rain has significantly increased the death toll from weather-related incidents in the districts of Poonch, Rajouri and Doda. Authorities reported that the combined toll from Sunday and Monday has climbed sharply, highlighting the severity of the disaster.

In response to the tragedy, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced an ex gratia compensation of ₹6 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives.

Emergency teams, local administration officials and volunteers continue to work in affected areas to provide assistance and restore normalcy.

ALSO READ: Ram Temple Trust resumes donation counting with new supervision amid ongoing probe

ALSO READ: Trump threatens tariffs on Canada as wildfire smoke worsens air quality across the US

Rescue operations continue in Uttarakhand and Nagaland

Uttarakhand also witnessed dangerous weather conditions as heavy rainfall affected several districts.

In Bageshwar district, a child was reported missing after being swept away by the swollen waters of the Saryu River in the Kapkot area. Rescue teams were searching for the child as river levels remained dangerously high.

Another person died after being struck by lightning in a forested area near Phu village in Pithoragarh district's Dharchula region. Lightning-related incidents often increase during intense monsoon activity, especially in hilly and remote locations.

The IMD has issued a red alert for very heavy rainfall in Dehradun, Tehri and Haridwar districts. An orange alert has also been issued for other parts of the state, indicating the possibility of heavy rain, landslides and flooding.

Officials have advised residents, tourists and pilgrims to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly in landslide-prone areas. Emergency services have been placed on high alert as authorities prepare for further rainfall.

In Nagaland, rescue operations continued in Mon district after a major landslide struck the area on Sunday.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio visited the affected region to review relief efforts and meet local officials. The landslide buried several people under debris, leading to a large-scale search and rescue operation.

Initially, four bodies were recovered. Rescue teams later found three more victims, bringing the confirmed death toll to seven. However, two people remained missing, and search efforts continued despite difficult conditions.

Local authorities said volunteers, disaster response personnel and community members were working together to locate the missing individuals.

The landslide also damaged roads and disrupted communication in parts of the district, making rescue operations more challenging.

The impact of the monsoon was not limited to these states. In Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar district, a house collapsed due to heavy rainfall late on Sunday night. Five members of a family, including four children, were killed in the incident.

District authorities announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh each for the families of the victims.

Weather experts have warned that the current monsoon phase is likely to remain active throughout the week. Increased rainfall is expected across many northern and northeastern states, raising concerns about additional landslides, flash floods and waterlogging.

Officials have urged residents in vulnerable areas to stay informed through weather updates, avoid risky travel routes and immediately report emergencies to local authorities.

As rescue teams continue their work and families begin to recover from their losses, the latest disasters serve as a reminder of the destructive power of extreme weather during the monsoon season. Authorities remain focused on relief efforts while preparing for further challenges as rainfall activity intensifies across the region.