Incessant heavy downpour in the Nalbari district of Assam resulted in the breach of embankments of ‘Pagladiya’ river. Immediately, a highly trained and well-equipped Flood relief column of the Indian Army was mobilized and arrived at the Balitara Village in Nalbari District to undertake a massive humanitarian aid and disaster relief operation.

“Operating under heavy downpour, dangerous currents and alarming water levels in addition to the pitch-dark night, Indian Army toiled hard and ensured to rescue 150 stranded civilians, including 60 women and children, and brought them to safe zone. The locals and civil administration were forthcoming in expressing their heartfelt and overwhelming gratitude to the Army in light of their Service Before Self Motto as the dedicated efforts resulted in averting disaster and resulted in normalization of the  situation,” said, Lt Col Harsh Wardhan Pande, PRO (Defence), Tezpur while commenting on the situation.

Earlier in the past few days in pursuant to the flood situation in lower Assam, Indian Army stood true to its ethos as a practical testimony of, ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed’.

Indian Army integrated with its Medical and Veterinary components along with State Health and Veterinary Services there organised three Medical Camps and two Veterinary Camps in the Flood affected Areas on 21 July and 22 July 2019. The Medical Camps are being organised in Barpeta, Moigaon and Sonitpur districts while the Veterinary Camps are being conducted in Dhubri and Nalbari districts, as reported.

Due to incessant rains, almost all districts of Lower Assam have been affected by flood. The Camps are established with intent to address issues pertaining to waterborne infectious diseases and epidemic threat – both to livestock and human. The said Camps were also providing Mobile Detachments of an effective outreach to neighboring villages which are still inundated.

Since 11 July 2019, six Flood Relief Columns of Indian Army have been requisitioned in various districts to augment the efforts of State Government during Flood Relief for evacuation of locals stuck in flood affected areas as also in reaching out and distribution of Relief Materials to the flood victims. Due to the efforts of Indian Army many locals are being provided with Medical Aid and veterinary assistance for the animals.

The Civil Administration and locals have appreciated the initiative for providing succor to the affected people. The yeomen and selfless service of Indian Army has time and again demonstrated its commitment towards nation-building, instilling a sense of trust and belongingness amongst the local populace in consonance with the Army’s broader objective.

(The writer is a Delhi-based independent contributor to print and online publication)