IAF Airlifts 123 From Flood-Hit Uttarakhand, Deploys Chinooks, Mi-17s for Relief Operations
Severe flash floods struck Uttarakhand’s Harsil-Dharali valley. The Indian Air Force deployed helicopters, rescuing 123 civilians and transporting 4 tonnes of relief materials.
As intense flash floods battered Uttarakhand’s Harsil‑Dharali valley, the Indian Air Force (IAF) intensified its ongoing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts in the flood-hit regions of Uttarakhand, deploying various assets to assist stranded people and restore key services.
The operation included the deployment of Chinook, Mi-17 V5, and ALH helicopters, which successfully rescued 123 civilians and delivered 4 tonnes of essential relief material.
The coordinated airlift not only moved people to safety but also ensured the quick deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams to important locations.
In a vital move to re-establish communication in cut-off areas, a specialised telecom unit was airlifted and deployed, promptly restoring necessary connectivity to the affected zones.
The IAF’s prompt and effective action underscores the crucial role of the armed forces in disaster management in India, especially in difficult terrains like Uttarakhand, where road connectivity remains badly affected.
Uttarakhand has been experiencing heavy monsoon-induced disruptions, particularly in its high-altitude regions, leading to large-scale evacuation and relief efforts by multiple agencies.
Two cloudbursts occurred on August 5 — one in Dharali and another near Sukhi Top close to Dharali — causing widespread destruction, with Dharali suffering the most damage.
A video of the disaster showed large-scale destruction as the river came rushing down onto houses and hotels in the area.
