With no let up in the huge down pour and inclement weather in the far reaches of Jammu division in the last 72 hours, the Indian Army in close coordination with the civil authorities under 'Operation MEGH RAHAT' has been able to rescue as the reports last came in about 1100 civilians and large no of live stock from the wrath of the huge deluge engulfing the entire area.
The army has pressed into effect in the past 96 hours, 17 fully equipped columns of soldiers to evacuate civilians, repair and reconstruct roads and render first aid.
In specific incidents, the proactive columns of the Army have been able to rescue around 300 civilians from Mandi, Saujiyan, Doda and Bamwat.
In the area of Akhnoor, the River Chenab has swelled and is flowing to unprecedented levels and the Indian Air Force and Army in Akhnoor in combined rescue operations have been able to save around 65 lives while 15 are getting evacuated.
The Chenab is flowing at 43.5 ft creating criticality into the strategic connectivity to Pir Panjal. Around 200 lives were saved in the areas of Manyarwala, Sankari, Dalogra and Nazian by CIF 'R'. The 18 columns of Army working in Areas around Banihal and Navapanchchi have been able to save around 220 civilians from the onslaught of Bichlari Nala and Warwana Nala.
The Army columns are working round the clock in areas of Kandoli Nala, Dhari in Rajouri and Poonch, in Khour, Channi, Sitrila, Mawa Korora and Chak Sikinda near Akhnoor where around 200 civilians are reportedly stranded.
In the area of Thanamandi, the Army columns are active in Langiot, Bigali, Tangri and old Thana Mandi rescuing people.
The Army's BRTF is working concurrently all out with its specialised equipment including JCBs, dozers and excavators to open the NH 44, which has been closed for civil traffic.
While connectivity between Akhnoor and Naoshera is open to traffic, the work on road Naoshera-Rajouri is still on which is likely to be opened soon.
'Operation MEGH RAHAT' moves on to next phase where the army plans extensive deployment in support of flood Relief. The employment of helicopters, special divers, heavy engineering machinery and more boot on ground will be the focus of the army and assist the locals in critical situations, that may arise due to heavy rains "that are lashing the region".
The Indian Army has also launched 'Mission Sahayta' in Kashmir to rescue the people from critically affected areas.
The army in Kashmir launched massive rescue mission to evacuate people from flood affected areas to safer places. A large number of people have already been taken to safety and nonstop effort is made to extricate people caught in critical conditions.
Due to unprecedented rainfall in the past 72 hours, there has been heavy inundation of low lying areas astride the Jhelum and others rivers in Kashmir valley. 'Mission Sahayta' has been launched by the army to rescue people from critically affected areas, especially where lives were at risk. More than 50 columns across the valley have been launched along the engineer boats. Their teams putting themselves at great risk have rescued more than 1500 peoples. The army columns have also swung into action in and around their operating bases and provided relief and rescue to numerous other people in the valley.
The army has rescued approximaltely 400 people from Bemina, Panderthan and Lasjan. Approximately 300 civilians have been evacuated from areas around Sopore and Pattan. The Army has rescued 800 people from all across the area of Pampore, Kakpur, Khanabal, Anantnag and Kulgam.
