Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Wednesday visited flood-affected areas along the Akhnoor border belt to assess the situation after several hamlets were submerged by the overflowing Chenab river.
Prabhat, accompanied by local MLA Mohan Lal, senior police officers and Border Security Force (BSF) officials, reviewed ongoing rescue operations and interacted with teams engaged in evacuation and relief work. He also inspected the Akhnoor Border Outpost (BOP), where BSF Sunderbani DIG Varinder Datta briefed him on conditions along the border.
Forest Minister Javed Rana separately toured the area, meeting locals and monitoring rescue efforts.
In a daring operation, the BSF deployed a helicopter to evacuate 45 civilians, including women and children, who were trapped in a flooded village in Akhnoor sector. Akhnoor Sub-Divisional Magistrate Mukhtar Ahmed confirmed their safe evacuation on Wednesday.
SP Rural Brijesh Sharma said rising water levels in Akhnoor’s Gadkhal area had affected nearly 100 houses. With Army assistance, 45 residents were rescued by boats, while troops of the White Knight Corps evacuated another 80–90 civilians from Dhar Khour and Channi villages, including two in critical condition. The Army also established medical camps at Pallanwala and Palatan to provide immediate care.
Jammu Police continued extensive rescue operations across Akhnoor, Khour, Belicharana, Miran Sahib and other affected areas, rescuing over 100 people.
“We have mobilised all resources and are working in close coordination with the Army, paramilitary forces, NDRF, SDRF and civil administration to ensure rescue and supply of essentials,” SSP Jogender Singh said.
Officials reported that the Chenab river in Akhnoor has crossed the evacuation mark, reaching 42 feet (317.59 metres) with a discharge of over 5 lakh cusecs. Several religious sites, including Jia Pota Ghat and nearby temples, were partially submerged, while about 100 houses in Gadkhal and several homes in Kotli village were inundated.
The Army and police together rescued around 40 more residents using boats.
