Following the collapse of a section of the Tawi Bridge No. 4 due to heavy rainfall, the Indian Army's Tiger Division swiftly constructed a 110-foot bailey bridge over the Tawi River in Jammu city in under 12 hours. The bridge is a vital link for Jammu, and the army's quick action has restored traffic movement that had been disrupted for three days. The Rising Star Corps also rescued nearly 1,000 stranded individuals and restored critical communication links between Jammu and Srinagar.
The eastern portion of the Tawi Bridge No. 4, a crucial link for Jammu's connectivity, was severely damaged by floods. With repairs expected to take time, the army engineers overcame washed-out approaches and limited workspace to restore vehicular movement quickly. The recent heavy rains triggered floods across Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Pathankot and Gurdaspur, causing widespread infrastructure damage. Since August 26, 2025, the Army's Rising Star Corps, supported by Air Force helicopters, has rescued nearly 1,000 stranded people, including children and paramilitary personnel. Critical communication links between Jammu and Srinagar were also restored by laying alternative optical fiber cables. Medical aid, food, and relief materials have been provided to affected families in coordination with civil authorities. Additional army resources remain on standby to tackle any further challenges.
The swift action of the Army has brought relief to commuters. A portion of the approach road to the bridge from the Bhagwati Nagar side had collapsed on August 26, 2025, following heavy rains and flash floods in the Tawi River. Several vehicles were trapped and damaged in the sudden cave-in, forcing a complete closure of the bridge initially. Later, one tube of the bridge was opened for light vehicles, while the other tube remained closed.
Responding to the crisis, the Tiger Division of the Indian Army took charge. Army engineers arrived early at the site and began raising a bailey bridge, an emergency prefabricated steel structure often used in disaster-hit areas. By evening, the structure was completed and vehicles began moving through the other tube of the bridge once again. Major General Mukesh Bhanwala, General Officer Commanding (GOC) Tiger Division, told reporters that the task was executed under extremely tough conditions. He added that the damaged approach road would take time to restore fully, but the Army, in coordination with the civil administration, stepped in to provide an immediate solution.
The restoration has brought huge relief to residents who had been struggling with traffic diversions and long delays. The Army's swift action underscored its reputation for always being the first responder in times of crisis, be it natural calamities, floods, or other emergencies. With the 4th Tawi Bridge now reopened fully, traffic movement within the city is expected to ease considerably, offering commuters a breather after three days of chaos.
The eastern span of Tawi Bridge No 4, a critical lifeline for local communities and military logistics, was severely damaged by relentless monsoon floods that ravaged the region earlier this week. Engineers from the Tiger Division swiftly deployed a 110-foot Bailey Bridge to revive the structure. Overcoming washed-out approaches, limited workspace, and on-going adverse weather, the team worked tirelessly to ensure vehicular movement was restored without delay. This rapid intervention prevented potential isolation of villages and facilitated the flow of essential supplies, underscoring the Army's role in disaster response. The Tawi River swelled due to torrential rainfall, leading to widespread flooding that submerged low-lying areas, displaced hundreds of residents, and caused significant infrastructure damage.
