Eight men were saved from drowning in the turbulent Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district early Sunday, following a three-hour joint operation by police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). The men, who were collecting floating timber using an unsafe makeshift wooden raft, became stranded amid dense fog that severely hampered visibility, according to police officials.

The operation began after a distress call reached the Assar police station around midnight, prompting a swift response from local police and SDRF teams. Despite challenging conditions, including the river’s swollen currents and near-zero visibility, all eight individuals were safely rescued by 3:00 AM. The Chenab, known for its treacherous waters, has claimed numerous lives in recent years, making the successful operation a significant achievement.

Authorities issued a stern warning to the public, urging people to avoid the swollen Chenab and other water bodies, especially during adverse weather conditions. “Venturing into the river with unsafe rafts is life-threatening,” a police official said, adding that strict legal action would be taken against those engaging in such risky activities. The incident follows a pattern of rain-related accidents in the region, with the Chenab River frequently overflowing due to heavy rainfall, as seen in past incidents that caused loss of life and infrastructure damage.

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The rescue underscores the dangers of unregulated activities along the Chenab, a river central to both hydropower projects and regional disputes under the Indus Waters Treaty. Local officials have called for increased safety measures and public awareness to prevent future tragedies in this flood-prone area.

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