Punjab floods: Army evacuates pregnant woman, elderly patient from rain-affected

CHANDIGARH: Amid intensifying rains in the region, a pregnant woman was rescued from Ramkot village in Jammu by army personnel and another elderly woman suffering from a cardiac ailment was evacuated from Sammoval village in Punjab by the troops for treatment.

Sources said that the army personnel walked for 18 kilometers at night in the rain and pitch darkness to the village to rescue a nine-months pregnant woman who was experiencing labour pains. The woman was airlifted with a Dhruv helicopter in inclement weather and evacuated to military hospital in Samba.In another incident an elderly woman suffering from a cardiac ailment was successfully rescued by the Flood Relief Team of Kharga Sappers from the flood-affected Sammoval village in Punjab.

As access to her residence by boats was not possible due to flooding, the team proceeded on foot. Upon reaching the location, the team found the woman bedridden and immobile. The team then carefully evacuated her on her bed, carrying her on their shoulders for approximately 300 meters to the waiting boat. The woman, along with her husband and her daughter, was The Western Command of the Army has activated more than 50 columns in flood-affected areas of Punjab and Jammu in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations under Operation RAHAT, rescuing stranded people, restoring vital infrastructure, and delivering life-saving assistance.In addition, seven fresh columns have been launched in the areas of Taran Taran, Ferozpur, Shahkot, Phillaur, Dhatewal and in the areas of Sarala (Ghanmaur) and Harchandpura owing to rising water levels in the Ghaggar River.

The engineer regiments have reconstructed the Jaitpur Bund in Mamun Sector, repaired the main water supply line at Sidhra Bridge and employed heavy machinery to restore damaged roads between Bikraman Helipad and Tawi View 

So far, over 5,500 civilians and 300 personnel of paramilitary forces have been rescued, more than 3,000 civilians have received medical aid, and over 27 tons of ration and essential supplies have been delivered to affected communities.