Pathankot: Heavy rains have lashed north India, including Punjab, for the past few days, creating a flood-like situation and severely disrupting normal life. In a daring operation, the Indian Army rescued 22 CRPF personnel and three civilians who had been stranded near Madhopur Headworks in Punjab since Tuesday.

The rescue, carried out at 6 AM on Wednesday using Army Aviation helicopters, came just in time as the building where the group had taken shelter collapsed moments after their evacuation. Dramatic visuals of the collapse have gone viral on social media, underscoring the timeliness and precision of the operation.

In an official statement, the Indian Army said, “The building where they had been sheltering collapsed shortly after their evacuation, highlighting the urgency of the rescue mission. This successful operation reflects the Army’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and its ability to respond swiftly in crisis situations.”

The stranded individuals were located near Madhopur Headworks along the banks of the Ravi River. Due to relentless rainfall, water levels in the Ravi, Ujh, and Jalalian rivers surged, flooding the Madhopur Headworks area. Rising water levels in major rivers like the Sutlej, Ravi, and Beas have worsened the situation, prompting authorities to release water from Pong, Bhakra, and Ranjit Sagar dams—further aggravating flooding risks in Punjab’s catchment areas.