Anantnag police rescue thousands as floodwaters inundate town areas

August 27, 2025 by News Desk

Shah Hilal

Amid relentless rainfall and rising water levels, Anantnag Police carried out a major rescue operation on Wednesday, evacuating thousands of residents stranded in different parts of the town.

Officials said the operation was led by SHO Anantnag Majid Khan, DSP Headquarters, and all DOs of main Anantnag, under the close supervision of DIG South Kashmir and SSP Anantnag.

Families trapped in their homes due to floodwaters were relocated to safer places, including government school buildings that have been converted into temporary shelters.

Floodwaters entered houses and shops in several localities such as Ganjiwara, Achabal Adda, Mehandi Kadal, Danger Pora, Kralyar, Bangi Dar, and adjoining areas, adding to the chaos.

The Jammu Kashmir government, headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, said all departments have been placed on high alert and that the situation is being closely monitored.

Meanwhile, Health and Education Minister Sakina Itoo visited several hospitals in Anantnag to review arrangements and take stock of the situation.

Locals praised the timely intervention of Anantnag Police and Khair Aam Trust, commending their efforts in saving lives during the crisis. “We were completely trapped inside our home with no way out. The police reached us in time and shifted us to safety. Without their help, we don’t know what would have happened,” said Abdul Rashid, a local resident of told The Kashmiriyat.

Shopkeepers, however, expressed concern over mounting losses. “Water has entered my shop and damaged most of the goods. While we are grateful for the rescue operations, we are also worried about how we will recover from these losses,” said Tariq Ahmad, a trader from Ganjiwara.

The flooding has also disrupted essential services. At GMC Anantnag, attendants struggled to arrange medicines.

“We had a patient who urgently needed medicines, but with the roads submerged it was nearly impossible to reach the pharmacy. The officials, however, helped us out and we could arrange the medicines within a few minutes,” said Shabir Ahmad, an attendant at the hospital.