Floods Devastate North India: Over 5,000 Civilians Rescued and 21 Tonnes of Relief Material Distributed

As floods continue to ravage large parts of North India, the Army's Western Command has been conducting extensive Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations since August 16. The operations have resulted in the rescue of over 5,000 civilians and the distribution of 21 tonnes of relief material in Jammu, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh.

Key Takeaways:

• The Western Command has deployed 47 columns, supported by Army Aviation and Indian Air Force helicopters, to assist in the relief efforts.
• Twenty aircraft, including Advanced Light Helicopters, Mi-17s, and a Chinook, are engaged in evacuation and relief drops.
• Over 300 paramilitary personnel have been rescued.
• The Army's communication teams have laid over 2 km of optical fibre cable to restore mobile connectivity in a cut-off area.
• Engineers have constructed a bailey bridge across the Jammu Tawi in just 12 hours, restoring a vital road link.
• Punjab has been inundated by the swollen Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, affecting districts including Gurdaspur, Pathankot, and Fazilka.
• Over 130 people have been killed, 120 injured, and 33 missing in Jammu and Kashmir due to heavy rain and flash floods since August 14.
• The estimated losses in Himachal Pradesh are Rs 3,560 crore, mostly to roads, bridges, and water and power systems.

Statistics:

• Over 5,000 civilians have been rescued.
• 21 tonnes of relief material have been distributed.
• 47 columns have been deployed by the Western Command.
• 20 aircraft are engaged in evacuation and relief drops.
• Over 2 km of optical fibre cable has been laid by the Army's communication teams.
• A 12-hour record bridge construction was achieved by engineers in Jammu.
• Rs 3,560 crore is the estimated loss in Himachal Pradesh.

Sources:

• "Army's HADR Ops: 5000+ Civilians Rescued, 21 Tonne Relief Material Distributed in Jammu, Punjab, HP." ABP News, Contify.com, 2023.