Dhruv helicopters fly high in Uttarakhand

[Abingdonboy]

Prove their mettle dropping paratroopers in some of the most inaccessible areas

Four Dhruv helicopters pressed into service by the Army in flood-hit Uttarakhand have proved their mettle in carrying out relief operations and dropping paratroopers in some of the most inaccessible areas. They have been focussing on the Gaurikund-Kedarnath region. Rescue work assumed urgency as the India Meteorological Department on Thursday forecast more rains in the Himalayan State from June 24 to 28. IMD Director-General L.S. Rathore said the next wet spell was likely to see light to moderate rainfall.

Launching one of the biggest rescue operations in Uttarakhand, the Army has mobilised nearly 8,100 troops, as it simultaneously reached out to thousands of stranded people in four regions — Rishikesh-Uttarkashi-Harsil-Gangotri; Rudraprayag-Kedarnath; Joshimath-Badrinath and Dharchula-Tawaghat in Pithoragarh district.

On Thursday, the Army opened the road up to Uttarkashi after clearing 16 landslips. It has also opened the road up to Sonprayag in the Kedarnath region after the successful launch of a bridge across the Vasuki Ganga between Mundkatiya and Sonprayag. As many as 2,500 stranded people have been evacuated from Sonprayag, thanks to this newly opened road. In all, the Army has rescued more than 11,000 people, mainly from Govindghat and Harsil. About 10,000 people are being provided food and medical assistance by the Army personnel,

As the Kedarnath shrine was totally cut off, especially the stretch between Gourikund and Sonprayag, troops skilled in mountain rescue operations, including paratroopers, were heli dropped to reach out to the people stranded in isolated areas along the Kedarnath and Badrinath region.

Officials in New Delhi said the HAL-built Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), which can carry 10-16 people on heights of 10,000 feet, performed effectively in dropping paratroopers and evacuating stranded people.

The Army has pressed into service 11 choppers, including four Dhruv ALH, for operations in Uttarakhand. They carried out about 50 sorties on Thursday. It has deployed 10 Specialised Mountaineering Teams in the worst-hit Kedarnath area and set up relief camps at Harsil, Joshimath, Rudraprayag and Gauchar Advanced Landing Ground (ALG). The Army has built a helipad at Lambaghat school at Govindghat. Efforts are on to repair the bridge over Alaknanda between Govindghat and Ghagria on Hemkund Sahib road.

The Air Force undertook about 102 sorties, evacuating nearly 1,300 stranded persons on Thursday, and dropped 20,000 kg of load. It has been operating four Dhruv ALH helicopters and two Mi-17 in the Gaurikund area. As many as 17 Mi-17 V5 and 11 ALH choppers are operating in the Dehradun, Shimla, Pithoragarh and Sarsawa areas.

Dhruv helicopters fly high in Uttarakhand | The Hindu

 

[hkdas]

Dhruv helicopters fly high in Uttarakhand | The Hindu

great work by indian military forces.....
we are proud of indian military

 

[GR!FF!N]

there are reports that IAF pressed C-130 into service.not for rescue but for recon.

 

[Abingdonboy]

there are reports that IAF pressed C-130 into service.not for rescue but for recon.

Must be using their FLIR turret. They are based at Hindon AFB in NCR and being Spec Ops a/c are kept ready 24/7 365 days a year so it makes sense they would be used in someway. AFAIK though 1-2 have taken NDRF teams to Uttarakhand.

 

[sancho]

Air Force deploys Mi-26, world's largest chopper, for rescue work

As rescue and relief operations in Uttarakhand gather pace, the Indian Air Force has deployed an Mi-26 - the largest helicopter in the world - to augment operations...

...The Army and Air Force have deployed over 40 helicopters for rescue efforts, but a shortage of fuel is turning into a concern. Bringing in new supplies is also very tough since landslides have destroyed several important roads.
The Mi-26 will carry fuel to Gauchar in Chamoli district - a landing ground that has been activated by the Air Force - where other choppers can refuel.

It will also transport heavy equipment required in repair and construction of roads that is being carried out by the Border Roads Organisation. The giant chopper will also support the construction of temporary helipads to enable smaller helicopters in the evacuating process of those stranded in various parts of the state.

Uttarakhand: Air Force deploys Mi-26, world's largest chopper, for rescue work | NDTV.com

 

[sancho]

there are reports that IAF pressed C-130 into service.not for rescue but for recon.

There are no suitable airstrips at the moment, only some heli pads, which once again shows the importance for helicopter operations in the northern / north eastern areas.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Uttarakhand: Air Force deploys Mi-26, world's largest chopper, for rescue work | NDTV.com

There are no suitable airstrips at the moment, only some heli pads, which once again shows the importance for helicopter operations in the northern / north eastern areas.

If only the IAF had its 15 Ch-47Fs, eh @sancho?!!



+ just goes to show the Mi-26 has a role in India but the role is not military. Mi-26s need to be procured in larger numbers but by the govt (civilians) not for the military.

 

[Capt.Popeye]

If only the IAF had its 15 Ch-47Fs, eh @sancho?!!



+ just goes to show the Mi-26 has a role in India but the role is not military. Mi-26s need to be procured in larger numbers but by the govt (civilians) not for the military.

+1 to that.
The Chinooks would have been invaluable additions to the efforts. Just as the Mi-17s are. I think the upshot of all this will be an aceleration towards procuring rotor-crafts.

 

[sancho]

If only the IAF had its 15 Ch-47Fs, eh @sancho?!!



+ just goes to show the Mi-26 has a role in India but the role is not military. Mi-26s need to be procured in larger numbers but by the govt (civilians) not for the military.

As I told you before, these are exactly the roles and missions where the Mi 26 is far superior to the Chinook and clearly more beneficiary, but at the moment I am happy to see any helicopter that can be used there.
But it also shows the limitations of fixed wing aircrafts in these areas, when even a C130J can only be used in recon roles currently.

 

[anant_s]

NEW DELHI: As part of the largest-ever relief and rescue operation mounted by the armed forces, IAF on Friday committed 13 more aircraft to its 'Operation Rahat' being undertaken in flood-hit north India.

This takes the total number of IAF aircraft deployed in the operation to 43, with the Army chipping in with another 9 helicopters. The IAF aircraft include from 36 helicopters - 23 Mi-17 IV/Mi-17 V 5, 11 ALH, 1 Cheetah, 1 Mi 26 helicopters, as well as two C130J 'Super Hercules, three AN 32, one AVRO and one IL76 aircraft.

"IAF is also activating landing grounds - Gauchar and Dharasu in Uttarakhand to establish air bridge for chopper movement," said an officer.

The force has plans to operate ALH and Cheetah helicopters from Gauchar. A heavylift Mi- 26 has already landed at Gauchar with 30 barrels of fuel and 70 paratroopers. "A C-130J aircraft is committed to recce mission to check valley clearance and facilitate further relief rescue operations.

The plan is to also it land at Dharasu," he said. Mi 26 will continue to operate in this area to maintain supply of aviation fuel and rescue work. It will also provide heli-lift to the heavy equipment of BRO for repairs and construction work as well as support construction of temporary helipads for better extraction of those stuck or stranded using small helicopters.

IAF commits more aircraft to 'Operation Rahat' - The Times of India

 

[sancho]

A privat rescue helicopter is reported to be crashed, pilot is safe though.

 

[anant_s]

Personnel from Armed forces and Paramilitary forces helping the stranded people

 

[anant_s]

Don't know about what movie says but these guys are real Men of Steel. Respect!

 

[hitenray09]

Just Hats off 2 IAF & IA personnel....Thank u for yr service 2 the nation...

 

[janon]

Not just the Dhruvs, but every fixed wing and rotary transport aircrafts have been pressed into service - An-32s, C-130Js, Il-76s, Mi-17s, Dhruvs, chetaks, and everything else, according to an air force commander on TV. This is the army and air force's biggest rescue and relief operation till date. Earlier, in places where it was impossible for the choppers to land, paratroopers jumped from Dhruvs, carrying food, medicines and communication supplies to the people stranded there. The tempo of evacuations is very high, because more heavy rains are forecast in the coming few days, so it is important to evacuate as many people as possible as quickly as possible.

Risking their lives, so that others may live: