Army rescues 4 persons stranded in flood-hit Kinnaur

The Army’s swift response averted a potential tragedy following a flash flood at Hojis Lungpa Nala on Thursday evening. The Army helped four stranded civilians move to the higher and safer ground and evacuated an injured individual to Regional Hospital, Reckong Peo.

Triggered by a cloudburst in the higher reaches of the Rishi Dogri Valley, the deluge engulfed the bridge across river Sutlej, leaving one person injured. On receiving an urgent request from the Superintendent of Police, Kinnaur, the Army immediately mobilised a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) column. Braving darkness, fast currents and unstable terrain, the team reached the location and discovered four civilians stranded on the far bank.

An Army spokesperson said the HADR team illuminated the general area to aid night rescue operations. “The Army deployed its new generation equipment to assist in this operation,  which included the Logistics Drone High Altitude (LDHA) system to ferry essential items including eatables, coconut water across the floodwaters to help sustain the stranded individuals through the night,” the spokesperson said.

The rescued civilians are under observation in the Army camp at Pooh. The stranded individuals would be sent back home once water levels subside.