Indian Air Force  rescued over 25 Civilians from an island inside the Tawi River in Jammu and Kashmir after the civil administration  sent an SOS Message to the IAF.
“Since the Tawi river was flooded and time was premium, the pilots landed close to the stranded people so as to pick them up in one go. On landing at the island in the Tawi river, it was realised that the helicopter was sinking in the mud,” an officer said.
“The captain decided to hold the helicopter lightly on wheels and instructed the winch operator to get down and get the civilians inside the helicopter,” the official added.
He said: “The captain displayed exemplary skills and courage to hold on controls when the civilians were being loaded. Thereafter the aircraft got airborne and landed at the bank of the river where the two dozen rescued people were disembarked.”
The general flood situation in Jammu region, according to official spokesman of Jammu and Kashmir Government, was “improving with rains having stopped in most areas in the region”.
Over 100 stranded and marooned people have been rescued by the administration with the help of police, army and IAF since Saturday.
But there are landslides on many roads connecting to remote mountainous districts like Poonch, Rajouri, Doda and Kishtwar. Many vehicles and passengers are still stranded.