Floods and landslides kill at least 25 across India as heavy monsoon rains continue

At least 25 people have died as torrential rain triggered floods, landslides and flash floods across northern and northeastern India over the weekend.

The worst-affected areas included Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland, Assam and Uttarakhand, where rescue teams continued search operations amid forecasts of more heavy rainfall.

Many people remain missing in some of the affected regions, raising fears that the death toll could increase. Roads, homes and public infrastructure have suffered extensive damage, while thousands of people have been affected by flooding.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that active monsoon conditions are likely to continue over northwest, east and northeast India for the next six to seven days, increasing the risk of further flooding and landslides.

Jammu and Kashmir bears the brunt

The highest number of deaths was reported from Jammu and Kashmir, where at least 15 people were killed in separate rain-related incidents in the districts of Poonch, Rajouri and Doda. Rescue teams are searching for people believed to be trapped under landslide debris, while several others remain missing.

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Rajouri and Poonch were among the worst-hit districts, where cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides damaged roads, houses and commercial establishments. Local reports showed vehicles piled on top of one another after a flash flood swept through parts of Rajouri.

The heavy rain also disrupted religious pilgrimages in the region. Authorities suspended the annual Amarnath Yatra along both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes due to unsafe weather conditions. The pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in the Jammu region was also temporarily halted.

Nagaland and Assam face widespread damage

In Nagaland, persistent rainfall triggered multiple landslides, killing more than five people. The worst impact was reported from Mon district, where a cloudburst and flash floods washed away houses, blocked roads and trapped several residents under debris.

According to some report, four bodies had been recovered, while search and rescue operations were continuing with disaster response teams deployed across the affected areas. The overall toll could rise as several people were still trapped and many roads remained inaccessible due to landslides.

Neighbouring Assam also witnessed flooding after continuous rainfall. One person died on Sunday, while more than 57,000 people across seven districts were affected, according to the state disaster management authority.

Uttarakhand hit by lightning, landslides

In Uttarakhand, two people were killed after being struck by lightning in Haridwar district. Heavy rain also triggered landslides that blocked 84 roads, including two national highways, disrupting transport in several parts of the hill state.

The Himalayan region remains highly vulnerable to cloudbursts and sudden downpours during the monsoon, often leading to flash floods and landslides with little warning. Experts have repeatedly cautioned that construction on flood plains, development on unstable slopes and deforestation have increased the exposure of people and infrastructure to such disasters.

With the weather office forecasting continued heavy rainfall over several parts of northern and northeastern India, authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert as rescue and relief operations continue.