Thanks to various animal welfare organizations and volunteers, hundreds of animals were rescued during the recent floods in Delhi.

 

Thanks to various animal welfare organizations and volunteers, hundreds of animals were rescued during the recent floods in Delhi.  The large-scale operation involved securing boats and tractors for evacuations, rescuing animals from isolated areas, and relocating them to safer grounds. The rescue operation began on July 12, following reports of dogs and cattle stranded in the Yamuna Khader area due to heavy rains. As the situation worsened, animals isolated themselves in areas already evacuated by humans. Volunteers ventured into the floodwaters, rescuing dogs from trees, rooftops and swimming them to safety. A significant challenge was rescuing cattle from a gaushala housing 400 cows. This required a coordinated effort involving gaushala volunteers and NDRF veterans. Approximately 350 dogs were evacuated from one shelter and 100 from another, transported through chest-high water to waiting trucks. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including floods; this will likely lead to more instances where animal rescue operations are necessary.