Tawi River rescue: J&K Police, SDRF save four children near Peer Kho Temple
Synopsis
Four children bathing in the Tawi River near Peer Kho Temple in Jammu were trapped by a sudden water-level surge on 4 July — and were pulled to safety only because a distress call reached the Police Control Room in time. The incident is one of many in a recurring monsoon pattern of drowning deaths across J&K that authorities have so far failed to fully contain.
Key Takeaways
J&K Police and SDRF rescued four children stranded in the Tawi River near Peer Kho Temple , Jammu , on 4 July .
The children were trapped after a sudden rise in water levels while bathing; all four were rescued without injuries.
The SDPO City North , SHO Pacca Danga , and an SDRF team responded after a distress call was received through the Police Control Room .
Authorities issued a public warning urging residents to stay away from riverbanks during the monsoon season.
Drowning fatalities in J&K rise every summer, with the Tawi , Chenab , Jhelum , Nallah Sindh , and Dal Lake among the most dangerous sites.
Jammu and Kashmir Police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) on Saturday, 4 July rescued four children who were stranded in the Tawi River near Peer Kho Temple in Jammu after a sudden surge in water levels trapped them mid-stream. All four were brought to safety without any injuries in what officials described as a swift, coordinated operation.
How the Rescue Unfolded
The children had gone to the river for a bath when the water level rose unexpectedly, leaving them stranded. A distress call was relayed through the Police Control Room (PCR), triggering an immediate response. Senior police officers, the SDPO City North, the SHO of Police Station Pacca Danga, and an SDRF team rushed to the site. The coordinated effort ensured all four children were pulled to safety before the situation could turn fatal.
Public Warning Issued at the Scene
Following the rescue, the SDPO City North used a public announcement system at the riverbank to urge residents to stay away from the Tawi River, particularly during periods of fluctuating water levels. Parents were specifically advised to prevent children from venturing near the river. Jammu Police also issued a broader appeal for the public to exercise caution near rivers and water bodies during the monsoon season, and to report emergencies immediately to the PCR or the nearest police station.
A Recurring Danger Across J&K
The incident is part of a troubling pattern. Drowning fatalities in Jammu and Kashmir rise consistently during summer months, with minors and local youths among the most vulnerable. Unguarded stretches of rivers including the Jhelum, Sindh, and Tawi, as well as hydropower canals and streams, have been the sites of multiple deaths in recent months.
In Ganderbal district, Nallah Sindh has repeatedly emerged as a danger zone — authorities have previously imposed swimming restrictions there following several casualties. In Srinagar district, fatalities have been reported regularly at Harwan, the Doodhganga River, and Dal Lake, frequently involving teenagers who lack swimming skills. In the Jammu region, the Tawi and the Chenab account for a disproportionate share of water-related incidents.
What Authorities Want the Public to Know
Police have stressed that sudden water-level surges — common during the monsoon — can turn seemingly calm stretches of river lethal within minutes. The appeal to stay off riverbanks is especially directed at families with young children. Anyone witnessing a water emergency is urged to call the Police Control Room without delay, as Saturday's rescue demonstrated that rapid response can be the difference between a close call and a tragedy.
Point of View
But it should not obscure the broader failure: J&K records drowning deaths involving children and youths every monsoon season, across the same rivers and the same unguarded stretches. Restrictions have been imposed at Nallah Sindh before; they have not held. The pattern — distress call, response, rescue or fatality, public appeal, repeat — points to an absence of permanent preventive infrastructure such as warning systems, physical barriers at known hotspots, and mandatory swimming education in schools. A timely rescue is not a policy solution.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Tawi River in Jammu on 4 July?
Four children who had gone bathing in the Tawi River near Peer Kho Temple in Jammu became stranded after the water level rose suddenly on 4 July. J&K Police and the SDRF rescued all four safely without any injuries following a distress call to the Police Control Room.
Who carried out the rescue operation?
The rescue was carried out jointly by Jammu Police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). The SDPO City North, the SHO of Police Station Pacca Danga, and senior police officers were among those who responded to the scene.
Why are rivers in J&K dangerous during the monsoon?
Rivers such as the Tawi, Jhelum, Chenab, and Sindh experience sudden and unpredictable water-level surges during the monsoon season. Many stretches are unguarded, and a significant number of victims — particularly children and teenagers — lack swimming skills, making any unexpected surge potentially fatal.
Which other locations in J&K have seen repeated drowning incidents?
Nallah Sindh in Ganderbal district has seen multiple casualties and has had swimming restrictions imposed before. In Srinagar district, Harwan, the Doodhganga River, and Dal Lake are frequent sites of drowning incidents involving teenagers. In the Jammu region, the Tawi and the Chenab account for a recurring share of water-related deaths.
What precautions have authorities advised?
Jammu Police have urged the public to stay away from riverbanks, especially during monsoon months when water levels fluctuate without warning. Parents have been specifically asked to prevent children from going near rivers. Authorities have asked anyone witnessing a water emergency to immediately contact the Police Control Room or the nearest police station.
