The Unsung Heroes: Indian Army and NDRF’s Pivotal Role in Battling Punjab’s Recurring Floods

August 29, 2025

Written by Sheena Sandhu

In the sweltering heat of August 2025, as relentless monsoon rains transformed Punjab’s fertile plains into a watery apocalypse, the familiar sight of khaki uniforms and orange life jackets once again became a beacon of hope. The floods ravaging districts like Gurdaspur, Amritsar, and Pathankot have displaced thousands, submerged villages, and tested the limits of human endurance.

Yet, amid the chaos, the Indian Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have emerged as the frontline warriors, executing daring rescues that save lives and restore faith in institutional resilience. Reflecting on similar deluges in 2023, it’s clear that these forces are not just responders but the backbone of India’s disaster management framework.

Their efforts underscore a critical truth: in an era of escalating climate crises, professional, well-equipped forces like these are indispensable, but they cannot shoulder the burden alone. Cast our minds back to July 2023, when Punjab, along with neighbouring Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, faced one of its worst flood episodes in recent memory.

Torrential rains swelled rivers like the Sutlej and Beas, breaching embankments and inundating vast swathes of land. The Indian Army swiftly mobilized, deploying 26 flood relief columns across Punjab, involving over 1,900 personnel including officers and jawans. In a standout operation, they evacuated 910 students and 50 staff from a flooded private university, preventing what could have been a tragic loss. By mid-July, the Army had rescued over 11,000 people in the region, providing not just evacuation but also medical aid and relief supplies.

Complementing this, the NDRF deployed 38 teams across northern states, conducting round-the-clock operations in flood-hit areas. In Punjab’s Ferozepur, an NDRF team heroically rescued a farmer clinging to a tree for over two hours amid rising waters. By August, as floods persisted in Kapurthala and Gurdaspur, joint Army-NDRF efforts saved nearly 300 villagers from marooned settlements, navigating treacherous currents with boats and helicopters.

These operations weren’t mere logistics; they involved coordinated efforts with state police, SDRF, and local administration, evacuating people from rooftops and distributing essentials in remote areas. Fast-forward to August 2025, and history echoes with eerie similarity, albeit with intensified fury. Heavy rains have triggered flash floods across Punjab, affecting districts from Dera Baba Nanak to Sujanpur.

The Indian Army has again stepped up, deploying specialized assets like the ATOR N1200 amphibious vehicle to pluck villagers from deep floodwaters in Amritsar. In a nerve-wracking helicopter mission near Madhopur Headworks, Army Aviation evacuated 25 individuals— including 22 CRPF personnel and three civilians—from a collapsing shelter building, showcasing precision under extreme pressure.

Overall, 13 flood relief columns have been activated, rescuing hundreds alongside the Indian Air Force, which winched up Army and BSF personnel in high-stakes operations. The NDRF, too, has been instrumental, with teams deployed in Atepur, Baheri, and Sujanpur to evacuate stranded residents.

A dramatic rescue near the India-Pakistan border saw NDRF personnel save four youths swept away and clinging to a tree, averting a cross-border tragedy. In another urgent effort, NDRF and Army units are rescuing around 400 students and 40 staff from a flooded residential school, mirroring the 2023 university operation. As of now, these forces have helped evacuate thousands, with operations intensifying despite grim conditions in multiple districts.

The roles played by the Army and NDRF in both crises highlight their unparalleled expertise in rapid deployment, technical prowess, and humanitarian ethos. Trained for worst c a s e s ce n a r i o s , they bridge gaps where civilian infrastructure falters— whether through amphibious vehicles, helicopters, or boat-based evacuations.

Their coordination with other agencies, like the BSF and SDRF, exemplifies a unified command structure that minimizes response times. However, these events also expose systemic vulnerabilities. Punjab’s floods are recurring, exacerbated by climate change, poor urban planning, and inadequate river management. In 2023, breaches in embankments caught authorities off-guard; in 2025, similar issues persist, with thousands spending nights on rooftops awaiting relief.

While the forces perform miracles, the opinion here is stark: relying solely on them is unsustainable. G o v e r n m e n t s m u s t invest more in preventive measures—strengthening dams, early warning systems, and community training—to reduce the scale of rescues needed.

Moreover, the psychological toll on rescuers deserves attention. These men and women risk their lives in hazardous conditions, often without adequate recognition. Enhancing their resources with advanced drones, AI-driven flood mapping, and better interstate protocols could amplify their impact.

As climate models predict more intense monsoons, bolstering the NDRF’s fleet and the Army’s disaster units isn’t optional— it’s imperative. In conclusion, the Indian Army and NDRF are the guardians who turn despair into deliverance during Punjab’s floods. Their actions in 2023 and 2025 saved countless lives and embodied national resolve. Yet, true progress lies in proactive governance that complements their heroism. As Punjab rebuilds, let us honor these forces not just with applause, but with policies that ensure fewer calls to action in the future. After all, prevention is the ultimate rescue

Sheena Sandhu is a retired civil servant, views are personal