When the mountains cried, NDRF stood tall

When the heavens opened up over Himachal Pradesh earlier this week, relentless rainfall turned rivers into torrents and mountain trails into death traps. Yet, amid the chaos, the 14th NDRF Battalion, established only in October 2020, rose as the state’s shield rescuing thousands and winning the gratitude of locals and pilgrims alike.

At Bharmour in Chamba district, nearly 3,269 pilgrims on the sacred Manimahesh Yatra found themselves stranded after landslides and swollen streams blocked their path. Led by Commandant Baljinder Singh, NDRF personnel armed with mountaineering gear carved out escape routes in impossible terrain.

They erected a temporary footbridge and secured ropes across gushing waters at Dhanchho and Gauri Kund, enabling terrified devotees, 1,730 men, 1,259 women and 280 children, to cross safely. Pilgrims were then guided towards Dunali and Hadsar, where additional rescue teams ensured their onward passage. “It was about giving people faith when everything around them seemed to collapse,” recalled Commandant Singh, proud of his team’s professionalism and humanity.

But the ordeal was not confined to the mountains. In Kangra’s Indora subdivision, the Beas surged unexpectedly on the night of August 26-27, submerging the Arni University campus. Hundreds of students and faculty were trapped as water swallowed classrooms and hostels.

Responding to the SDM’s urgent call, the NDRF team rushed into the flooded campus under cover of darkness. Battling fierce currents, they worked relentlessly until 2 am, finally rescuing 412 students and 15 faculty members.

It was a night of danger, but also of triumph. “The task was daunting,” admitted Singh, “but our duty was clear— every life mattered.”

From the icy slopes of Bharmour to the flooded plains of Kangra, the 14th NDRF Battalion proved that disaster may test humanity, but courage always prevails.