IAF rescue ops in Kedarnath continue even as weather turns tough; MI-17s keep flying from Guptkashi

FACT REPORTER

Kedarnath: Into its tenth day, the Indian Air Force continued to keep plying its MI-17V5 helicopters, braving inclement weather and torrential rain, saving human lives and property. IAF was ably supported by personnel from the National Disaster Relief Force and the teams refused to buckle down, bad weather or not, and kept taking off for Kedarnath.

WIth human lives at stake, all stops have been pulled out. The Indian Air Force has been supporting the efforts of the NDRF and SDRF teams in the ongoing relief and rescue operations underway in Kedarnath ever since weather-borne tragedy struck.

IAF helicopters from the Mi-17V5 squadron navigated challenging weather in the Uttarakhand hills. Despite the inclement conditions, IAF helicopters have transported 1 ton of relief equipment, evacuated patients requiring oxygen and safely moved scores of locals people to safety, among them women and children.

The rescue efforts were also supported by a group of ham radio enthusiasts who established a critical communication network that helped save lives and facilitated the search operations.