1.       HISTORICAL ROLE.

The Command has been actively involved in aid to civil authority during major calamities and natural disasters in its area of responsibility which includes providing assistance & relief during Earthquake in Koyna near Satara (Maharashtra) in 1960, Khadakwasla dam burst in 1961, Earthquakes at Latur in 1993 and Bhuj in 2001, the Tsunami of 2004, Flood rescue and relief operations on a number of occasions.  Some of the natural disasters in the recent years where troops of Southern Command played a prominent role include Chennai floods - 2015, Gujarat & Rajasthan floods - 2017 and floods in Kerala - 2018.

2.       OPERATION VARSHA-21.

With the unprecedented rains and resultant overflowing of various rivers, a number of areas in Ratnagiri, Kohlapur, Sangli and other Districts of Maharashtra have been inundated. On request of civil administration, Southern Command was mobilised, flood relief and rescue teams to assist the locals in flood affected areas. 15 columns were involved in rescue of local villagers stranded in submerged areas and in restoring normalcy in these inundated areas. Over 100 persons were rescued from the affected areas to safe locations.

3.       OPERATION PALAKKAD.

In a daring mission Teams of MADRAS Regimental Centre and Para Regimental Training Centre under the aegis of Southern Command undertook a spectacular rescue operation to extricate a stranded trekker Mr Babu stuck in a steep gorge in Malampuzha mountains, Kerala. When rescue efforts by locals, administration could not fructify Indian Army was requisitioned by the State Government. Army Specialist Teams reached the location and rescue operation commenced at first light on 09 Feb 2022.  Finally, at around 10:15 AM on 09 Feb 2022 the Army specialist teams rescued the trekker in a safe and healthy state.

4.       OPERATION VISPHOTAK MUKT BANDARGAH.

Operation “Visphotak Mukt Bandargah” which involved disposal of 1600 Metric Tonnes of unexploded ordnance that had possibly been collected inadvertently by some factories and steel scrap yards over the past few years located at multiple locations in Mumbai, Gujarat, Kanpur, Jaipur and Jodhpur. The Indian Army launched the Operation on directions of Ministry of Defence is to ensure safe environment for all citizens settled in and around the identified locations.