IAF Evacuates 541 in Flood-Hit Jammu Kashmir, Himachal, Punjab

SRINAGAR: The Indian Air Force (IAF) evacuated 541 people and airlifted over 10,000 kilograms of essential relief material across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab after landslides and floods triggered by heavy rains, officials said on Saturday.

IAF helicopters carried out operations in the Bharmor–Chamba sector of Himachal, the Kullu and Kishtwar sectors, and other affected regions in Jammu and Kashmir. “In a continuous 17-hour operation, four helicopters and 35 crew members evacuated stranded residents and delivered food, medicines, and tarpaulin sheets to remote locations such as Sainj Valley and Bharmor,” officials said.

In Jammu and Kashmir, operations were concentrated along landslide and cloudburst-hit routes, including Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch and Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag. In Udhampur, helicopters airdropped supplies to families cut off by landslides.

Officials said ongoing rescue and rehabilitation work is being coordinated with local administrations. “Assets remain deployed for follow-up missions and to deliver additional supplies wherever required,” they said.

Over the past three weeks, more than 170 people have died in weather-related incidents, including floods, landslides, and cloudbursts. Several highways, including the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, remain closed due to landslide damage and disrupted restoration work.

The IAF said operations are continuing in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir, with all available resources kept on standby for disaster relief.