First responder in Himachal tragedy, delivers medical aid and ration through cargo drones to isolated villages
Munish Sood
Mandi
As Himachal Pradesh grapples with the aftermath of the catastrophic flash floods and landslides that struck on the intervening night of June 30, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has emerged as a crucial pillar of relief and rescue operations across the worst-hit areas of Mandi district.
From being one of the first teams to reach ground zero to deploying cutting-edge drone technology in inaccessible terrain, SDRF’s response has set a benchmark in coordinated disaster management.
Rapid Response in the Face of Devastation
On July 1, within hours of the natural calamity, SDRF personnel reached Bagsyad village after clearing fallen trees and road obstructions. From there, the team trekked on foot to Thunag and established the first communication with the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) via satellite phone, providing critical ground-level updates.
By July 3, the team had pushed further into the severely impacted Janjehli area, again by clearing blocked routes. Simultaneously, a second SDRF unit of 12 personnel reached Thunag to intensify search efforts for missing persons swept away in floods and landslides.
Extending Help to the Most Vulnerable
The SDRF ensured the timely delivery of ration, medicines, and other essentials to villages completely cut off from basic services. On July 4, the force reached Thundi village in the Nehri Sunah Panchayat with food and medical supplies. The next day, relief materials were delivered to Road village, and two pregnant women were successfully evacuated from Janjehli and transported safely to Mandi via Raigarh-Karsog.
Their interventions were instrumental in rescuing 63 stranded tourists from Janjehli, and in a separate operation, another pregnant woman was evacuated via Shankardehra.
Drones Redefining Disaster Response
In a pioneering move for Himachal Pradesh, the SDRF deployed cargo and surveillance drones to reach remote villages where ground access was impossible due to landslides and washed-away roads.
A drone team stationed at Thunag carried out targeted relief drops, including the successful air delivery of a 15-kg relief kit to Bayala village in Janjehli. Additional drone operations ensured the distribution of first-aid and medicine kits to Bhageda (Keoli Panchayat), Ghyardhar (Chiyuni Panchayat), Thach village, and Janshal Panchayat.
Another team conducted extensive search and rescue efforts along the Pandoh Dam–Patikri stretch and in Rushad village, mapping areas between Pandavshila and Lambathach.
Unwavering Commitment Amid Ongoing Operations
Even weeks after the initial disaster, SDRF teams continue search and recovery efforts in key vulnerable zones like Deji village and across the Pandoh–Patikri belt. Their work, combining ground-based rescue with drone-powered delivery, has not only saved lives but also demonstrated the future of disaster response in mountainous terrains.
As the region slowly recovers, SDRF’s quick mobilization, tactical innovation, and unwavering presence have earned them widespread appreciation from administration and residents alike—offering hope amid hardship.
