• Heavy rains in northern India have triggered a landslide killing at least 30 people.
• Authorities reported widespread flooding and damage to infrastructure, including collapsed bridges.
• Over 200 people are reported missing due to heavy rainfall in the Kishtwar district.
• Pakistan is facing significant flooding risks from water releases from Indian dams.
• Search and rescue operations are underway in the affected regions.

Heavy rain has caused severe flooding and a landslide in the northern region of India, particularly affecting the Jammu area. A landslide near the Vaishno Devi shrine has resulted in the deaths of at least 30 individuals, according to reports from the ANI news agency. The Indian Meteorological Department reported heavy rainfall measuring 368 mm (14.5 inches) on Tuesday alone, which has led to official warnings advising residents to remain indoors due to hazardous conditions, according to Reuters, TRT Global, and Dawn.

In response to the disasters, search and rescue operations are currently underway with officials and local volunteers working to clear debris and locate survivors. The flooding has disrupted telecommunications, rendering communication almost non-existent, as highlighted by Omar Abdullah, the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities are prioritizing the restoration of electricity and water supply services, which have been extensively damaged, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The heavy rainfall this week is part of the ongoing monsoon season affecting both India and Pakistan, prompting India to open the floodgates of its dams, which has raised concerns of downstream flooding in Pakistan's Punjab province. As a result of this release, the Pakistani authorities have warned of "very high to exceptionally high" flood risks, impacting over 150,000 people in the region. Significant flooding has been reported in various districts of Punjab, resulting in evacuations of tens of thousands of residents, according to reports from Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The calamity is being characterized by officials as one of the deadliest disasters in recent weeks, with significant impacts reported across the Himalayan region; the deluge has led to thousands being reported missing and has caused long-standing infrastructure damage, enhancing the urgency for immediate disaster response. This occurs amidst a backdrop of a continuing climate crisis that has exacerbated such weather patterns, making the risks of floods and landslides an alarming recurring issue, as noted by Dawn and Reuters.