(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
India’s army airlifted hundreds of people to safety amid this week’s severe flooding in Bhutan.
On Sunday, October 5, crews from Sevoke Road Aviation Base launched two helicopters into the Phuentsholing region to rescue civilians trapped by rising waters. The Torsa River, swollen by heavy rain from a low‑pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, had flooded vast parts of West Bengal and Bhutan, forcing an urgent evacuation request.
The pilots flew swiftly through patchy weather and limited visibility, performed a quick aerial survey, and landed at challenging sites to pick up stranded residents. Three workers were air‑lifted directly to the CST ground, where they were rushed to a hospital for medical care, according to a Bhutanese government statement.
Later the same day, a Druk Air helicopter departed from Paro and rescued one more victim, who had been reported as washed away. The missing workers, previously unconfirmed, were found alive, marking a hopeful outcome for the rescue mission.
India’s officials praised the teamwork and highlighted the operation as an example of “Service Before Self” and the strong friendship between the two countries. Bhutan’s government also thanked the Indian Army, the Royal Bhutan Army, and Druk Air for their bravery and swift response.
Authorities in North Bengal are on high alert. The Tala Hydropower Dam’s gates failed to open, causing its reservoir to spill over and raising fears of downstream flooding in the Dooars region. Bhutan’s National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology has formally warned the West Bengal government to prepare for the potential impacts.
The joint relief effort demonstrates how Indian military resources can support neighboring nations during natural disasters, strengthening regional cooperation and humanitarian aid.
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