In a daring pre-dawn operation, the Indian Army rescued 22 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and three civilians stranded near the Madhopur Headworks, about 14 km from Pathankot, as floodwaters surged across Punjab.
The group had been trapped on a building rooftop since Tuesday evening after heavy rains triggered flash floods in the area. At 6 a.m. Wednesday, Army teams launched a swift rescue mission, coordinating closely with local authorities.
In a dramatic turn of events, the building collapsed moments after the last evacuee was rescued, narrowly averting what could have been a major tragedy.
Army Statement
In a statement following the successful evacuation, the Army said:
“This successful operation once again reflects the Indian Army’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and its ability to respond promptly in crisis situations.”
Officials highlighted the synergy between the Army and civil authorities, which ensured the mission was completed without casualties.
Punjab Battling Floods
Punjab, like much of northern India, is reeling under heavy monsoon rains. Rising water levels in the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, fed by catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, have inundated low-lying districts.
Additional pressure has mounted after excess water was released from Pong, Bhakra, and Ranjit Sagar dams, worsening the flood situation in several regions.
To tackle the crisis, the Punjab government has set up a central flood control room in Jalandhar’s Circuit House and directed district administrations to maintain round-the-clock presence on the ground.
Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said all leaves of officials and staff had been cancelled, adding that rescue and relief operations would remain the state’s top priority. State ministers, including Lal Chand Kataruchak and Goyal, are touring flood-hit areas to assess the situation.
