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The Indian Air Force (IAF) has claimed a world aviation record by airlifting close to 20,000 civilians in 2,140 missions during the 15-day Operation Raahat to rescue victims of flash floods in Uttarakhand.
The first phase of operation Raahat ended officially on Tuesday, after which the IAF claimed that it was the biggest heliborne rescue operation of airlifting civilians in peace time anywhere in the world.
The gigantic effort was completed in 15 days, during which around 45 aircraft of different types were involved. The operation was also marred by a tragic accident involving a Mif-17V5 helicopter, in which the 20 people on board were killed.
The phase 2 of operation Raahat - focusing on supplying relief to the villagers - will begin almost simultaneously as around 8 to 10 helicopters are staying back in the region.
While the first phase was limited to pulling out stranded pilgrims and bring them to safety, the effort now will be concentrated on sending relief and rehabilitation help. The focus of phase 2 will begin with Pithoragarh and Dharchula in the Kumaon Himalayas, where many villages are cut off.
According to the assessment of the state administration, at least 4,000 villages in the disaster zone spanning from Kedarnath, Badrinath, Pithoragarh to Dharchula have been affected by the catastrophe.
The IAF has left most Advanced Light Helicopters in the region as they were best suited to operate in narrow valleys surrounded by high mountains. The requirement for relief operations would be indicated by the state administration. A large quantity of relief material has reached the state from all over the country and problems are being faced to move it to the disaster zone as road connectivity still remains broken.
The IAF's next task will be phase 2 of operation Raahat, focusing on supplying relief to stricken villagers
The IAF helicopters could play a major role in dispatching this material to victims. At its peak, the IAF used 36 helicopters of various types backed by heavy fixed-wing aircraft. The mainstay of IAF's helicopter effort was the Mi-17IV/V5, the latest acquisition, and Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters. It also utilised its lone Mi-26 helicopter and Cheetah light helicopters.
The C- 130J special aircraft were utilised for daily weather reconnaissance sortie and also for forming a fuel bridge to the disaster zone.
IAF sets a world record with Uttarakhand rescue that saved 20,000 civilians in an astonishing 2,140 missions | Mail Online
