POONCH: In the past 24 hours with no letup in the huge down pour and inclement weather in the far reaches of Jammu Division, the army in close coordination with civil authorities under Operation Megh Rahat has been able to rescue as the reports last came in about 1,100 civilians, large no of live stock from the wrath of the huge deluge engulfing the entire Area. 
In the entire division all major rivers, Nallahs rivulets and streams are flowing above danger level. Poonch, Suran, Nowshera Tawi, Chenab, Bichlari Nullah, Warwan have all swelled up due to continuous rains. In most of the areas, the fast current of the rivers and nullahs is causing rapid erosion of banks and therefore demanding large scale evacuation from these areas.
The army has pressed into effect in the past 96 hours, 17 fully equipped columns comprising of 25 officers, 25 junior commissioned officers and 335 soldiers to evacuate civilians, repair and reconstruct roads, render first aid within the intervening night of yesterday and till this report came in, the army in the areas of Mandi, Saujiyan, areas along Poonch and Suran River, Narian along Naoshera Tawi, Banihal and Nawapachchi has been able to evacuate almost 900 civilians from the clutches of flood and imminent disaster.
In specific incidents the proactive columns of the army have been able to rescue around 300 civilians from Mandi, Saujiyan, Doda and Bamwat. This area was almost getting submerged by the torrential rains and swelling of Badrian Dhar. 70 more civilians are getting rescued as the report came in.
In the area of Akhnoor, Chenab has swelled and is flowing to unprecedented levels and the Indian Air Force and Army in Akhnoor in combined rescue operations have been able to save around 65 lives while 15 are getting evacuated. The Chenab is flowing at 43.5 ft creating criticality into the strategic connectivity to Pir Panjal. Around 200 lives were saved in the areas of Manyarwala, Sankari, Dalogra and Nazian by Romeo Force. Five civilians have died in this area as army continues to bring succour to the displaced and hurt. Uniform Force has been able to rescue around 75 civilians from Chasana.
Mir Razak and his family while being administered first aid after rescue said that, “The army’s night operation saved them, otherwise they would have been long dead”. They can never thank the army enough. Phalni a very remote village of the area which was completely cut off had another chilling story.
The brave hearts of army column of Rashtriya Rifles battalion rescued Md Rafik son of Md Din and Parveen Akhtar wife of Md Rafi. The 18 columns of army working in areas around Banihal and Navapanchchi have been able to save around 220 civilians from the onslaught of Bichlari Nala and Warwana Nala both of which are inundating every thing in their way.
In Navapachi in a brave episode of rescue 40 families were rescued when a bridge connecting them to mainland got washed away. The army columns are working round the clock in areas of Kandoli Nala, Dhari in Rajouri and Poonch, in Khour, Channi, Sitrila, Mawa Korora and Chak Sikinda near Akhnoor where around 200 civilians are reportedly stranded. In the area of Thanamandi army columns are active in Langiot, Bigali, Tangri and old Thana Mandi rescuing people.
While the civilian evacuation is in full force the army’s BRTF is working concurrently all out with its specialised equipment including JCBs, dozers and excavators to open the NH 44 which has been closed for civil traffic. Extensive work by BRTF and army is on in the areas south of Ramsu, 20km North of Ramban, Nashri Area near Dharmund and all resources have been placed to remove eight landslides on Batote-Kishtwar Road. BRTF deployed astride strategic Rajouri-Poonch connectivity is using all its JCBs and excavators in Mohr, Budhal, Kandi, Rajouri, Tain-Rajouri Road and on Kalai-Poonch Road. The hindrances on Bhimber Gali–Rajouri road are also being removed. While connectivity between Akhnoor and Naoshera is open to traffic, work on road Naoshera-Rajouri is still on which is likely to be opened soon. Only two written requisitions have been received for rendering aid to civil authorities till now. However, the army has involved itself completely into the relief and rescue operations in this calamity struck area.
