In a remarkable act of friendship and cooperation, the Indian Army mounted a swift rescue operation in Bhutan’s Phuentsholing region after sudden flash floods, triggered by intense rainfall, swept through areas along the Amochu River early Sunday morning.
The flooding—caused by a low-pressure system originating in the Bay of Bengal—submerged temporary housing and workforce camps near the Torsa River, leaving several residents stranded. Bhutanese authorities initially sought to deploy Druk Air helicopters to carry out evacuations, but poor weather conditions grounded the local aircraft.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Royal Bhutan Army reached out to its longstanding ally, India. Responding without delay, the Indian Army’s Eastern Command Aviation team launched two helicopters from the Sevoke Road Aviation Base in West Bengal. The aircraft successfully airlifted stranded families and workers to safety, ensuring that the evacuees received immediate medical assistance upon rescue.
While many residents had already been moved to safer areas by local ground teams, the air operations proved critical for those trapped in isolated locations cut off by surging waters. Unfortunately, two individuals remain missing—one believed to have been swept away during the floods.
In a statement issued shortly after the operation, the Royal Government of Bhutan expressed its “heartfelt appreciation and deep gratitude” to the Indian Army for its “timely and life-saving assistance.” It also lauded the Royal Bhutan Army and Druk Air teams for their courage and tireless efforts amid challenging conditions.
This joint operation once again highlighted the enduring friendship and mutual trust between India and Bhutan—two neighbors bound by geography, shared history, and a deep sense of cooperation. The coordinated rescue underscored how, in times of crisis, the partnership between the two nations remains not only strategic but profoundly human.
