Army rescues 34 after flash flood traps students in Baramulla hostel

In a swift humanitarian operation, the Indian Army on Tuesday rescued 34 people, including 30 students and four teachers , who were stranded inside a school hostel in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir after heavy rainfall triggered sudden flooding.

According to officials, continuous and intense rainfall over the past 24 hours led to a sharp rise in water levels in a nearby stream in the Watargam area of Rafiabad. The surge caused water to inundate the school hostel premises , cutting off all safe exit routes and leaving those inside trapped.

Local residents alerted the nearby Army unit, which quickly launched a rescue mission despite challenging terrain and dangerously high water levels . “Teams reached the site under difficult conditions and safely evacuated all 34 individuals to secure locations,” officials said.

Following the rescue, the Army ensured immediate medical attention and refreshments for the students and staff. The operation was carried out in coordination with the police, district administration, and local volunteers , highlighting a collective response to the emergency.

Meanwhile, an avalanche was reported in the Tulail area of the Gurez sector in Bandipora district , though authorities confirmed it remained confined to higher reaches and caused no damage.

The region has witnessed widespread weather activity , with moderate rainfall across the plains and snowfall in higher altitudes over the past two days. Baramulla recorded the highest rainfall at over 70 mm in 24 hours , followed by Nowgam (58.2 mm), Qazigund (48.6 mm), and Kulgam (42.2 mm). Srinagar also received significant rainfall, logging 31.6 mm during the same period.

Weather officials have forecast cloudy conditions on Wednesday , with another spell of rain expected over the weekend, raising concerns about further water level fluctuations in vulnerable areas.