Jammu: The Indian Army conducted multiple rescue operations, evacuating 715 people, including government employees, and BSF and CRPF personnel trapped in flash floods across Jammu and Pathankot sectors, officials said.
To tackle the widespread flooding, the Army deployed 13 flood relief and rescue columns, a Defence PRO stated. Operating tirelessly in adverse weather, these teams have successfully rescued 635 civilians, along with 12 BSF and 22 CRPF personnel, in close coordination with the civil administration.
“The Army remains fully committed to providing all necessary assistance to ensure citizen safety during this crisis,” the spokesperson added.
The floods, triggered by relentless rainfall, submerged large areas, causing significant disruption to daily life. In the Makwal area, a White Knight Corps flood relief column braved challenging conditions to rescue stranded BSF personnel. Engineering troops utilized all available resources to navigate strong currents, successfully linking up with the personnel and bringing them to safety. They also evacuated nine civilians, including children, from inundated homes to secure locations.
In a swift joint operation, Army and Air Force helicopters evacuated 60 employees of the Punjab Government’s Water Resources Department stranded at Madhopur Headworks on the barrage, cut off by surging Ravi river waters. The coordinated aerial effort ensured their safe rescue.
Meanwhile, the sudden collapse of a section of the Kashmir Canal gate in Lakhanpur left several people stranded. Approximately 100 civilians, including children, sought shelter at Kandoli Mata Mandir in Nagrota. Troops from the White Knight Corps provided food, medical aid, safety, and security to those affected.
“Always ready in the service of the nation,” the Army noted.
