Pathankot: A potentially tragic incident was averted in Punjab’s Pathankot after a tourist bus carrying 55 pilgrims, including 13 children, became stranded in a waterlogged railway underpass following heavy overnight rainfall. Prompt intervention by the Road Safety Force (SSF), local police and residents ensured that every passenger was rescued safely.
The incident occurred near Sujanpur on the Jalandhar-Jammu National Highwa (NH-44), where continuous rain led to the accumulation of a large volume of water beneath Railway Bridge No. 3. The bus, which was transporting devotees from Dehradun after their pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi, came to a halt after entering the flooded stretch.
As water levels continued to rise around the vehicle, passengers reportedly became anxious and immediately sought emergency assistance. According to officials, the distress call reached the control room at 1:53 a.m., triggering a rapid response.
An SSF team reached the location within minutes, while personnel from the Sujanpur police station also rushed to the site. Working alongside local residents, the rescue teams evacuated passengers one after another from the stranded bus and shifted them to a safer place.
One of the passengers, Ritika, said the group had feared the worst after the bus got stuck in the flooded underpass. She praised the rescue personnel, saying their timely arrival ensured that everyone, including children and elderly passengers, was brought out safely.
Police officials said poor visibility caused by darkness and heavy rainfall made it difficult for the driver to assess the depth of the water. As the bus attempted to cross the underpass, floodwater entered the engine compartment, causing the vehicle to stop in the middle of the road.
Following the evacuation, authorities deployed a Hydra crane to pull the bus out of the submerged underpass and restore traffic movement.
Officials noted that waterlogging frequently occurs at the location during the monsoon, and precautionary traffic restrictions had already been imposed. They urged motorists to avoid attempting to cross flooded underpasses and instead wait until water levels recede or seek guidance from emergency personnel.
The successful rescue operation prevented what could have turned into a major tragedy and highlighted the coordinated efforts of the SSF, police and local volunteers in responding to emergencies during the ongoing monsoon season.
