Air Marshal B Manikantan Assesses IAF's Humanitarian Operations in Flooded Uttarakhand
The Indian Air Force is actively conducting extensive Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations in Uttarakhand following the devastating landslides and flash floods on August 8. Air Marshal B Manikantan, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command, assessed the relief activities at Chinyalosour in Dharasu and participated in a mission to Harsil and Dharali to encourage the teams working on the ground.
The disaster, caused by intense rainfall and cloudbursts, has left numerous individuals stranded and resulted in substantial devastation. The IAF is collaborating with the NDRF, Indian Army, Border Roads Organisation, and local authorities, utilizing helicopters, drones, and ground-penetrating radar to locate survivors and evaluate damage in isolated areas.
By August 9, a total of 816 civilians had been rescued, and 1.4 tonnes of essential supplies were delivered to the impacted regions. The Mi-17 helicopters have played a vital role in reaching villages that have been cut off, with experts highlighting that aerial deployment in mountainous terrains can decrease rescue times by up to 40 percent.
Air Marshal Manikantan commended the collaboration and resilience of all participating agencies, emphasizing the IAF's dedication to providing rapid and ongoing assistance. The Central Air Command remains on high alert to support continuous missions as the state focuses on restoring communication lines, delivering medical aid, and rebuilding damaged infrastructure.
