Massive Rescue Effort
Army Relief Mission Restores Hope in Flood Affected North: The Indian Army’s Western Command has launched Operation Rahat to combat devastating floods in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. In two weeks, over 6,000 civilians were evacuated while 13,000 people received medical aid. Around 48 tons of essential supplies were distributed to the affected regions.
Static GK fact: The Western Command of the Indian Army is headquartered at Chandimandir, Haryana.
Scale of Operations
The Army carried out 82 Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions with 59 Army columns, including 17 Engineer Task Forces. Among the rescued were 300 paramilitary personnel. Operations ranged from medical assistance to supply delivery and evacuation of stranded families.
Static GK fact: The Indian Army operates seven regional commands, with Western Command being responsible for Punjab, Haryana, J&K, and parts of Himachal Pradesh.
Aviation Support
The relief mission was heavily supported by air assets. The Indian Air Force and Army Aviation clocked over 250 flight hours. The fleet included 3 ALHs, 6 MI-17 helicopters, 6 Cheetah helicopters, and 1 Chinook. These aircraft played a vital role in airlifting critical patients, transporting supplies, and surveying flood-hit areas.
Static GK Tip: The Chinook CH-47F (I) was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2019, enhancing heavy-lift capabilities.
Engineering Response
Engineer units worked to restore damaged infrastructure. Efforts included diversion of floodwaters, repairing washed-out bridges and roads, and strengthening embankments. In Jammu, more than 2 km of optical fiber cable was laid to restore mobile connectivity.
Static GK fact: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is also a major engineering force in India, responsible for maintaining roads in disaster-prone and border areas.
Civil and Military Coordination
Operation Rahat is being executed in close coordination with civil administration, NDRF, and SDRF. A Flood Control and Monitoring Cell has been set up at command headquarters to track water levels at Bhakra Nangal Dam and Ranjit Sagar Dam. This integrated civil-military approach highlights unity and resilience during natural disasters.
Static GK fact: The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was formed in 2006 under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Army Relief Mission Restores Hope in Flood Affected North:
| Topic | Detail |
| Operation | Rahat led by Indian Army Western Command |
| Areas Covered | Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir |
| People Evacuated | Over 6,000 including 300 paramilitary |
| Medical Assistance | Over 13,000 citizens treated |
| Relief Supplies | 48 tons of essentials delivered |
| Missions Conducted | 82 HADR missions with 59 columns |
| Aviation Assets | 3 ALHs, 6 MI-17s, 6 Cheetahs, 1 Chinook |
| Flight Hours | Over 250 logged in relief operations |
| Engineering Works | Roads, bridges, embankments, fiber cable restoration |
| Coordination | Civil authorities, NDRF, SDRF, Flood Monitoring Cell |
