Army steps up efforts to repair breaches, reopen critical lifelines in flood-hit states

The Western Command has stepped up its humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in flood-ravaged areas of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, increasing its deployment to 59 columns, including 17 Engineer Task Forces.

Heavy engineering equipment has also been mobilised to expedite the repair and restoration work, with teams working round-the-clock to repair breaches and reopen critical lifelines. Presently, an Army team is deployed at the Madhopur Headworks, which suffered heavy damage, to assist in early restoration.

Leading from front

82 relief missions executed

6,000 persons evacuated 

13,000 given medical help

48 tonne of rations delivered

300 hrs of sorties made for relief 

The operations were launched on August 26 and since then 82 relief missions have been executed. The Army has evacuated more than 6,000 persons, including approximately 300 para-military personnel, and provided medical assistance to over 13,000 persons, a spokesperson for Western Command said on Monday.

Essential supplies including medicines, water and 48 tonne of rations, have been delivered to flood-affected areas via air drops and ground columns. Army Aviation and Indian Air Force assets comprising three Dhruv ALHs, six MI-17s, six Cheetah helicopters and one Chinook have flown sorties totaling almost 300 hours to support relief efforts. 

The Army is working in close coordination with the civil administration, National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force to ensure optimal use of resources, timely relief, restoration of essential services and re-building of damaged infrastructure.

A Flood Control and Water Level Monitoring Cell has been established at all headquarters, functioning round-the-clock to monitor water levels across major headworks, including Bhakra Dam, Ranjit Sagar Dam and other critical points.

In the aftermath of recent floods, sustained efforts have been made to restore connectivity to a number of border outposts (BOPs) and adjoining areas that had been temporarily cut off. Dedicated engineer detachments have been deployed across affected regions to undertake urgent tasks critical to restoring normalcy and ensuring the safety of local communities.

Special attention has been given to areas severely impacted, where rapid restoration of infrastructure was vital for both operational and humanitarian reasons. Key engineering works include diversion of floodwaters in vulnerable pockets, repair of damaged bridges, restoration of washed-away stretches of road and strengthening of embankments and anti-flood bundhs.