MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): A massive rescue operation was successfully completed in the Ratti Gali, a tourist spot in Neelum district, where over 700 people, mostly tourists, were stranded due to torrential rains.
The operation, which began at 7 am and continued till 3:30 pm today, was carried out by a joint team of Pakistan Army, State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), Rescue 1122, Tourist and Traffic Police, and local volunteers.
The rescue authorities said that around 800 tourists, including a large number of women and children, were trapped in Ratti Gali. “Despite the road being washed away, rescue activities continued without interruption.”
SDMA official said that during the operation, 98 vehicles and over 700 tourists were taken from Ratti Gali to Jab on foot and vehicles, from where they were shifted to the main road.
It further said that two injured tourists were provided immediate medical assistance during the operation. The Azad Kashmir government has arranged temporary accommodation and food for all the stranded tourists.
According to the SDMA, all the tourists have been shifted to a safe place and will be taken to Dwarian by evening.
The Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir personally supervised the operation throughout the night and kept reviewing the situation until the tourists returned safely, the SDMA official said.
Earlier, SDMA issued a report, confirming that nine people have died as a result of torrential rains since yesterday across the state, whereas five people have sustained injuries, and several houses have been damaged
