SDRF: Kashmir’s First Line of Defense Against Nature’s Fury

By Ajaz Rashid

In August 2025, when torrential rains lashed Jammu and Kashmir, turning streets into rivers and mountain slopes into sliding walls of mud, one force stood between chaos and catastrophe—the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). With inflatable boats, life jackets, ropes, and sheer grit, these men and women became the lifeline of thousands marooned in the deluge.

The rains were unforgiving. Jammu city alone recorded 190.4 mm in just 24 hours, the second-highest rainfall in nearly a century. Neighbourhoods like Janipur, Roop Nagar, Talab Tillo, and Bakshi Nagar turned into islands. Cars floated down roads like toys, houses stood submerged up to their windows, and the daily rhythm of life collapsed under nature’s weight. But in the midst of despair, the orange-jacketed SDRF personnel waded in, restoring not just safety but hope.

Rescuing the Stranded

One of the most striking operations unfolded at the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) in Jammu, where 45 students were trapped in a hostel with rising water levels over seven feet. Under the leadership of DSP Dinesh Gupta, the SDRF launched an arduous five-hour operation. Battling strong currents in narrow lanes, they ferried terrified students in batches to safety. “Their calm and coordination gave us confidence when panic had set in,” recalled a rescued student.

In Talab Tillo and Lower Bakshi Nagar, where houses resembled sinking boats, the SDRF reached door-to-door, pulling families out through windows and ferrying them across flooded alleys. At times, the rescues were improvisational—tying ropes across lanes for people to hold onto as they crossed waist-deep torrents.

In Kathua district, a flash flood swept away a vehicle near Dreamland Park. SDRF divers were on the scene within minutes. Although one life was tragically lost, their quick intervention saved others and highlighted the perils of sudden cloudbursts in hilly terrains.

 

Beyond the Cities

While urban rescues dominated headlines, the SDRF’s most grueling missions came in the hills. Continuous rains triggered landslides in Udhampur, Kishtwar, Ramban, and Doda, blocking arterial roads like the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Entire villages were cut off, food supplies dwindled, and communication snapped.

Working with the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and police, SDRF personnel trekked through mud-choked slopes, sometimes on foot for miles, to deliver essentials and evacuate the sick. In Udhampur’s Chenani block, they carried an ailing elderly woman on a makeshift stretcher across broken trails when an ambulance could not reach. In Ramban, they rescued construction workers trapped under debris after a landslide hit a worksite.

Each mission came with risk. Slopes were unstable, rocks continued to tumble, and streams turned violent without warning. “One wrong step could mean being buried or swept away. But the thought that people were waiting for us kept us going,” said an SDRF constable, his uniform still caked in mud.

 

Coordination in Chaos

The effectiveness of the SDRF lay not only in their bravery but also in coordination with local authorities. Commandant Zahid Naseem Manhas, SSP of SDRF’s 2nd Battalion Jammu, oversaw round-the-clock operations. Control rooms were set up, distress calls logged, and hotspots prioritized. “Our teams are dedicated to supporting those affected by the heavy rains. Every call is a life waiting to be saved,” Manhas said.

District administrations leaned heavily on the SDRF to run relief camps and disseminate advisories. Police stations doubled up as rescue hubs. Volunteers, too, joined hands—youth groups in Jammu helped SDRF personnel distribute food packets, while in Kathua, villagers guided boats through tricky water channels.

This synergy ensured that resources were not duplicated and critical areas received timely attention. It also revealed how disaster management in Jammu and Kashmir has evolved into a multi-agency effort, with SDRF as its backbone.

Stories of Survival

For those rescued, the memories remain etched. In Roop Nagar, 60-year-old Rajinder Kumar recalls clinging to the roof of his submerged home when an SDRF boat appeared. “I had lost all hope. I thought I would drown here. They came like angels,” he said, tears welling up.

Students from the IIIM hostel remember the rescuers cracking light jokes amid the chaos to calm nerves. “They carried us on their shoulders, telling us to imagine it was a free ride,” one laughed.

In Kishtwar, a young mother said SDRF personnel handed her biscuits for her toddler even as they guided her family across a rain-swollen nullah. “They weren’t just rescuing us, they were caring for us.”

 

Challenges in a Harsh Terrain

Jammu and Kashmir’s geography makes disaster response uniquely difficult. Flash floods in plains, landslides in mountains, swollen rivers in valleys—each demands different skills and equipment. Transporting inflatable boats to a remote hamlet or diving in debris-filled waters tests not just logistics but human endurance.

Communications breakdowns compound the problem. Teams often operate with patchy signals, relying on wireless sets or human messengers. Weather adds another layer of unpredictability—heavy rains blur visibility, while night rescues are carried out under torchlight.

Despite these hurdles, SDRF personnel remain unflinching. Many go without proper meals or rest for days. “When you pull out a crying child from rising water, the fatigue disappears,” said one jawan, his face sunburnt and lined with exhaustion.

 

The Bigger Picture: Guardians of Preparedness

While floods thrust them into public view, the SDRF’s mandate extends much wider—earthquakes, fires, industrial accidents, chemical hazards, and even pandemic response. Their training covers swimming, climbing, diving, and handling specialized equipment.

The force operates under the umbrella of national frameworks like the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), with funding from the State Disaster Response Fund. This integration ensures access to resources, though personnel often stress the need for modern gear—night-vision equipment, advanced drones, and stronger boats for Himalayan rivers.

Their approach blends response with prevention. Mock drills in schools, community training sessions, and awareness drives ahead of monsoons prepare civilians for emergencies. Yet, many people only learn of SDRF’s role when disaster strikes—a gap that needs bridging through more public engagement.

Looking Ahead

Experts warn that Jammu and Kashmir will face more frequent extreme weather events due to climate change—intense downpours, erratic snowmelt, and rising flood risk. The August 2025 deluge was a stark reminder. Strengthening SDRF capacity is not optional but essential.

That means more manpower, upgraded technology, and localized training for varied terrains. It also means building community resilience so that every villager knows basic survival protocols.

The SDRF has already proven it can meet the challenge. But as weather grows more unpredictable, their role as the first line of defense will only grow sharper.

 

Unsung but Indispensable

In a region where natural fury strikes with alarming frequency, the SDRF stands as a shield between people and peril. Their August 2025 operations—whether rescuing hostel students, ferrying stranded families, or trekking across landslide-hit mountains—are not just stories of bravery but lessons in resilience and humanity.

They are not celebrated movie heroes or decorated war veterans. They are everyday men and women, often unnoticed, until calamity arrives. Yet when the waters rise or the mountains crumble, it is their orange jackets that bring the promise of survival.

As climate challenges intensify, the SDRF will remain Jammu and Kashmir’s quiet guardians—a beacon of safety, sacrifice, and hope amid the fury of nature.