J-K floods: Indian Army constructs 'Rahat Setu' across Tawi River

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The Indian Army has successfully constructed a temporary bridge named 'Rahat Setu' across the Tawi River. The main bridge was damaged by the floods on September 4 cutting off close to 45,000 people residing in 45 villages from Jammu city.

The Indian Army is carrying out a massive relief and rescue operations in Jammu and Kashmir to save lives of the people and rescue those stranded across the flood-hit areas.

"This was one of the five bridges on Tawi River which was damaged due to floods. This bridge provides link to Tawi islands which is home to around 40,000 people and a few regiments of Army and BSF. This bridge was completed in 16 hours and was constructed by 15 Engineering Regiment, which is the engineering regiment of the Tiger division. We have named this bridge 'Rahat Setu' as it is being used to provide relief material," said Brigadier P.K. Mishra of the Indian Army.

A massive rescue and relief operations by the Indian Armed Forces is continuing on a war footing in Jammu and Kashmir with over 76,500 persons rescued so far by the Armed Forces and NDRF in different regions of the state.

The Indian Army were first to respond and offer help to the people struck by the ghastly calamity without even getting any requisition from the civil administration. The army had started relief operations much before any external aid could reach the affected areas.

About 79 transport aircraft and helicopters of Indian Air Force and Army Aviation Corp have been pressed into service. Army has deployed 329 columns of its personnel for rescue and relief operations, in which 244 columns deployed in Srinagar region and 85 columns in Jammu region. They have distributed 8,200 blankets and 650 tents. The Army also has distributed 1,50,000 litres of water, 2.6 tonne of biscuit, 7 tonne baby food and 28,000 food packets in the flood-affected areas. Additional water bottles are being airlifted from Chandigarh and Delhi.

In an endeavor to provide speedy medical aid to the affected populace, 80 medical teams of the Armed Forces Medical Services have also swung into action. More relief materials including 2000 hospital bed sheets, blankets and tents, water bottles and cooked food are being airlifted today.

So far, 613 sorties were undertaken by the helicopters and aircraft of armed forces and 715 tonnes of relief materials are dropped by the Indian Air Force.

135 Army boats and 148 NDRF's inflatable boats are actively involved in the rescue operation.

To restore the road connectivity, five task forces of Border Roads Organisation, which include 5700 personnel, have been pressed into service. As of now, they have restored the road connectivity between Batote - Kishtwar and Kishtwar - Sinthan Pass. Work between Sinthan Pass and Anantnag is in progress and Jammu to KM 172 is open for light vehicular traffic. Jammu - Poonch road has been cleared for traffic.

Fifteen engineering task force teams along with boats and other lifesaving equipment have already reached the flood affected areas to supplement the rescue operation. The situation is being continuously monitored and progress of the events are updated at the office of the HQ IDS in New Delhi.