Jammu: Drones, used by the Army to keep camps in remote areas supplied are being effectively used for flood relief operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Troops of the Gurj Division, in coordination with the civil administration, launched a drone operation from Sunday to deliver food, water, medicines and other essentials to the people of the remote Chilla village in the Kathua District of Jammu.

“The village, located on the banks of the Ujh River, has been cut off from all sides due to extensive damage to roads and bridges caused by the recent floods. With conventional access blocked, the civil administration sought assistance from the Indian Army,” an official said.

“The troops responded swiftly and mobilised with load carrying drones and essential supplies. They moved over challenging terrain and through rough weather to reach the Plal village on western bank of the Ujh River. The drone operations across the river commenced immediately and continued till late in the night, delivering 150 kgs of essential rations. The relief operations resumed on Monday morning and delivered another 150 kg making it a total of 300 kgs,” he added.

The 16 families at Chilla, who have been cut off for the last 20 days, expressed joy and gratitude on receiving the rations and thanked the Army and the Kathua district administration for their proactive action.

The Gurj Division is part of the Rising Star Corps that has been involved in massive rescue and relief operations across the region since August 17. While flood relief columns remain deployed to respond to emerging situations, Army personnel are also reaching out to isolated villages, providing food, water, medicines. Medical camps are also being organised and work is underway to restore road connectivity.