Indian Army Rescues Over 5,500 Civilians in Flood-Hit Punjab, Launches ‘Operation RAHAT’

September 8, 2025

Amritsar: The Indian Army is carrying out rescue and relief operations on a war footing in flood-hit Punjab, where dozens have died, scores have been displaced and thousands of hectares of land with crops have suffered damage due to the deluge. Relief and rescue operations are being led by the Indian Army along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Border Security Force (BSF), Punjab Police and district authorities.

Scores of locals, aid organisations, as well as celebrities have also joined the relief works. The Army has deployed dozens of columns for relief operations in the affected areas. Amid intensifying rains in the region, a pregnant woman was rescued from Ramkot village in Jammu by army personnel, and another elderly woman suffering from a cardiac ailment was evacuated from Sammoval village in Punjab by the troops for treatment.

Sources said that the army personnel walked for 18 kilometres at night in the rain and pitch darkness to the village to rescue a nine-month pregnant woman who was experiencing labour pains. The woman was airlifted with a Dhruv helicopter in inclement weather and evacuated to military hospital in Samba.

In another incident, an elderly woman suffering from a cardiac ailment was successfully rescued by the Flood Relief Team of Kharga Sappers from the flood-affected Sammoval village in Punjab.

As access to her residence by boat was not possible due to flooding, the team proceeded on foot. Upon reaching the location, the team found the woman bedridden and immobile. The team then carefully evacuated her on her bed, carrying her on their shoulders for approximately 300 meters to the waiting boat. The woman, along with her husband and her daughter, was then transported in the Tatra vehicle to her relatives’ residence in Amritsar, where she received the necessary medical attention and care.

The Western Command of the Army has activated more than 50 columns in flood-affected areas of Punjab and Jammu in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations under Operation RAHAT, rescuing stranded people, restoring vital infrastructure, and delivering life-saving assistance.

So far, over 5,500 civilians and 300 personnel of paramilitary forces have been rescued, more than 3,000 civilians have received medical aid, and over 27 tons of ration and essential supplies have been delivered to affected communities.

In addition, seven fresh columns have been launched in the areas of Taran Taran, Ferozpur, Shahkot, Phillaur, Dhatewal and in the areas of Sarala (Ghanmaur) and Harchandpura owing to rising water levels in the Ghaggar River.

The engineer regiments have reconstructed the Jaitpur Bund in Mamun Sector, repaired the main water supply line at Sidhra Bridge and employed heavy machinery to restore damaged roads between Bikraman Helipad and Tawi View Point.

In Punjab, army teams remain engaged in strengthening bunds at vulnerable locations, transporting food and fodder to isolated villages and clearing key water channels to prevent further flooding.