MUZAFFARABAD: A 55-year-old woman was swept away by a sudden surge in the Jhelum River while collecting firewood along its bank between Chinari and Hattian Bala on Friday.

The body of Rahmat Bibi, widow of Syed Hussain Shah, was recovered by Rescue 1122 personnel from near Pashi Bridge in Muzaffarabad, about 50 kilometres downstream from Sawan Kuchha where she was swept away.

According to locals, the river’s water level rose suddenly, catching Ms Bibi in the fast-flowing current. They attributed the surge to the release of water by India, though this could not be independently verified.

Police, Rescue 1122 personnel and local residents launched a search operation after receiving information about the incident.

A Rescue 1122 official, Zahir Zaheer, told reporters that the Jhelum River, which enters Azad Jammu and Kashmir from the Indian-held territory through Chakothi, normally had a water level of between 12 and 14 feet, but it rose unexpectedly to 19 feet on Friday.

He said the strong current made the rescue operation difficult.

The administration and rescue authorities advised residents to avoid unnecessary visits to the banks of the Jhelum and other rivers and streams, particularly for collecting firewood, grazing livestock or crossing waterways.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026