Army, BSF, NDRF, and SDRF Rescue Over 2,400 in Flood-Hit North-West India

Chandigarh, Punjab – In a massive flood relief operation in north-west India, the Indian Army, along with the Border Security Force (BSF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), has rescued over 2,400 people from flood-affected areas of Punjab and Jammu.

The Army has activated 28 columns, including medical teams, communication units, and rescue personnel, to support Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. Initially, 13 columns were deployed, providing evacuation support, restoration of connectivity, medical aid, and relief material to displaced families in sectors including Jammu, Mamun, Pathankot (Samba, Kachle, Sujanpur), Gurdaspur (Makaura Pattan, Adalatgarh), Amritsar, and Ferozepur.

Army Aviation assets have played a crucial role, with 12 helicopters, including three Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and nine Cheetah helicopters, executing challenging winching and hovering rescues. Boats and safety ropes were also used to ferry stranded civilians to safer locations.

So far, 1,211 civilians have been evacuated, including 11 Punjab government officials and 180 paramilitary personnel. Approximately 2,300 kg of essential supplies, including food, water, and medicines, have been distributed via helicopters and ground teams, while medical teams provided on-the-spot aid to the injured and vulnerable.

The Panther Division has been working non-stop in the Ramdas-Ajnala belt of Punjab, rescuing residents from over 40 submerged villages, while the Rising Star Corps continues operations in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Pathankot, and Gurdaspur, rescuing more than 943 people.

The BSF has actively deployed helicopters and boats for rescue missions, including evacuating six Army personnel from a flooded Army camp. Additionally, the Army used ATOR-1200 amphibious vehicles, boats, and large transport vehicles to relocate stranded villagers to safety, particularly in Fazilka after the Kawanwali bridge over the Sutlej River was submerged.

In Ferozepur, the Golden Arrow Division coordinated relief efforts with state authorities. Overall, the combined efforts of Army, BSF, NDRF, and SDRF have successfully saved approximately 2,400 people so far in the ongoing flood crisis.