Photographs: Courtesy: Indian Army
In one of their largest relief and rescue operations in the last several decades, defence forces have deployed over 8,500 personnel and around 20 aircraft in rain-ravaged areas of Uttarakhand.
Text: PTI
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Army plays saviour in rain-ravaged Uttarakhand
Image: Army personnel conducting flood-relief operation in UttarakhandPhotographs: Courtesy: Indian Army
Defence Minister A K Antony has ordered the three services to deploy their maximum possible resources in the state and provide all help to civilians and local authorities in rescue and relief operations.
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Army plays saviour in rain-ravaged Uttarakhand
Image: Army personnel shifting injured people to hospital in UttarakhandPhotographs: Courtesy: Indian Army
With skies clearing, rescue of stranded people and relief operations intensified Wednesday in Uttarakhand where the death toll in the rain and floods shot up to 150 as thousands of pilgrims still remained stranded.
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Army plays saviour in rain-ravaged Uttarakhand
Image: Army personnel rescuing stranded people in rain-ravaged UttarakhandPhotographs: Courtesy: Indian Army
The army has deployed around 5,600 personnel along with 3,000 troops of the Border Roads Organisation along with their heavy equipment including bulldozers and JCBs.
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Army plays saviour in rain-ravaged Uttarakhand
Image: Army conducting flood-relief operation in UttarakhandPhotographs: Courtesy: Indian Army
The IAF has deployed 18 choppers, including four Advanced Light Helicopters which are part of its aerobatic team Sarang, a Defence Ministry spokesperson said.
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Army plays saviour in rain-ravaged Uttarakhand
Image: An army personnel rescues an injured person in rain-ravaged UttarakhandPhotographs: Courtesy: Indian Army
Ministry sources said so far only 18 choppers have been deployed as IAF pilots do not find it safe to land as soil has loosened up due to rains.
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Army plays saviour in rain-ravaged Uttarakhand
Image: Army personnel rescuing stranded people in rain-ravaged UttarakhandPhotographs: Courtesy: Indian Army
Due to this problem, the IAF has been able to deploy only its ALH Dhruv and other light helicopters in the worst-hit Kedarnath area, where a 14 km road stretch got washed away in flash floods.
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Army plays saviour in rain-ravaged Uttarakhand
Image: Army-constructed rescue helipad at landslide-hit Govindghat in UttarakhandPhotographs: Courtesy: Indian Army
The force is also facing issues over aviation fuel availability in Dehradun as the Jolly Grant airfield near there was being used as a hub for all rescue operations.
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Army plays saviour in rain-ravaged Uttarakhand
Image: Food and water being provided to stranded people by army in rain-ravaged Harsil, UttarakhandPhotographs: Courtesy: Indian Army
The IAF also deployed its C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft in the operations to map the worst-affected areas using its hi-tech radar in the higher reaches of the state after which relief operations would be prioritised and consolidated.
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