Jammu: Hundreds of people were evacuated on Tuesday from riverbanks and low-lying areas in Jammu and Samba districts after heavy rain triggered flash floods across the region.
The Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, and local administration launched large-scale rescue operations to respond to distress calls. Boats were deployed by the NDRF in the GGM Science College area to rescue stranded students and families in nearby localities of Jammu city.
“A large number of people have been evacuated from inundated belts along flooded riverbanks in Jammu and Samba. The figure is in hundreds,” an official said.
Reports suggest that 20 to 30 low-lying localities in the two districts have been submerged after more than 30 hours of continuous rainfall. Rescue teams evacuated people from several areas including Peerkho, Gujjar Nagar, R S Pura, Nikki Tawi, Beli Charan, Gurkhanagar, Qasim Nagar, Rajiv Nagar, Sher-e-Kashmir University, Akhnoor, Pargwal, and the swollen banks of the Tawi river.
The administration’s control centre received a steady flow of distress calls seeking evacuation. Gujjar families and their livestock were also shifted to safer ground after huts and cattle were swept away by the floods.
Troops of Rising Star Corps rescued villagers in Amli and Nud (Samba), Kachle and Sujanpur (Pathankot), Makaura Pattan, Adalatgarh, and Gurdaspur. Civilians were also evacuated from Garhi Garh, SKUAST, Sohanjana, and Mangu Chak areas of Jammu.
In R S Pura, heavy rainfall caused a dangerous rise in water levels in the Balol Nallah at Indra Nagar. Local SDM Anuradha Thakur assured stranded families of safe evacuation.
According to officials, the army rescued more than 300 people trapped in flood-affected areas and has launched extensive Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations across the Jammu region. Meanwhile, the CRPF’s 24 Battalion saved around 20 labourers who were trapped in an under-construction building on the banks of the Tawi, which is flowing above the danger mark.
“People in low-lying and flood-hit areas are being evacuated with the help of the Army, NDRF, SDRF, J&K Police, and district authorities. Thankfully, no casualties have been reported so far,” Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar said.
He added that heavy rain has lashed several districts, including Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Doda, and Kishtwar. “The Tawi, Chenab, Basantar, and Ravi rivers are flowing above the alert level. A control room has been set up. Property damage will be assessed once the water recedes,” he said.
Rainfall is expected to continue overnight, officials warned.
