Srinagar, Sep 6: Officials said on Saturday the Indian Air Force (IAF) evacuated 541 people and airlifted over 10,000 kilograms of essential relief material across Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir in the aftermath of landslides and floods triggered by heavy rains.
According to the details shared by officials with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) IAF helicopters conducted operations in the Bharmor–Chamba sector of Himachal Pradesh, the Kullu and Kishtwar sectors, and other affected areas in Jammu & Kashmir.
“In a continuous 17-hour operation, four helicopters and 35 crew members evacuated stranded residents and delivered supplies, including food, medicines, and tarpaulin sheets, to remote locations such as Sainj Valley and Bharmor,” officials said.
“The operations in J&K focused on regions affected by landslides and cloudbursts, including areas along the Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch and Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag routes,” they added.
Notably, multiple highways, including the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, remained closed due to damage caused by landslides and restoration work getting hit due to incessant rainfall.
Officials said that in Udhampur, IAF helicopters carried out supply airdrops to families cut off by landslides. “Ongoing rescue and rehabilitation efforts are being coordinated with the Jammu & Kashmir administration to ensure timely assistance to affected people,” they added.
Pertinently, over 170 people have lost their lives in the past three weeks due to weather-related incidents, including landslides, cloudbursts, and floods.
The officials said that the IAF continues to maintain assets in the region for follow-up rescue missions and to deliver additional supplies as required.
They said the operations are ongoing, and all available resources remain ready to support disaster-affected areas in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Punjab.
The IAF, in coordination with local authorities, continues to monitor the situation and provide assistance where required, they said. (KNO)
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