NEW DELHI, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The rain-related incidents in Indian-controlled Kashmir claimed four more lives on Monday, taking the death toll to 16 in the past two days, officials said.
The victims lost their lives due to falling rocks and flash floods in Doda district, an official said.
On Sunday, 12 people were killed and seven others went missing after rains wreaked havoc, triggering landslides and flash floods in the frontier twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri, southwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
The incessant rains on Sunday inundated low-lying areas in Rajouri, sweeping away dozens of vehicles. The landslides triggered by the rains hit residential houses in Poonch.
The persistent heavy rains hampered rescue operations in both Poonch and Rajouri districts on Monday morning.
According to officials, the fresh spell of rain began early Monday in the two districts and continued until noon, making rescue and search operations difficult in the affected areas.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast moderate to heavy rainfall across the region until Thursday, prompting local administrations to issue advisories urging people to remain vigilant and avoid venturing near vulnerable areas, such as rivers, streams, brooks, and other water bodies. ■
