The Indian Air Force (IAF) has been playing a vital role in containing the raging fires in the Pauri district of Garhwal, Uttarakhand. Through its concentrated efforts, the IAF has helped manage the fire emergencies, saving lives and minimizing environmental damage.
On the latest day of operations, a single Mi-17V5 helicopter was deployed, which carried out a total of eight sorties lasting 4 hours and 15 minutes. During these sorties, the helicopter dumped an impressive 17,700 liters of water over the affected areas.
Cumulatively, the IAF has conducted 23 sorties in Pauri, clocking 11 hours and 35 minutes of operational time and dropping a staggering 44,600 liters of water to douse the flames. Following instructions from the district administration, the Mi-17 IV helicopter has been de-inducted from the firefighting efforts.
The Joint Magistrate of Pauri, Anamika, expressed her gratitude for the IAF’s swift response and commendable efforts, stating, “The Indian Air Force’s efforts in Pauri to control the fire are commendable. The operations have played a crucial role in managing the fire emergencies and have reduced the number of fires, saving lives and the environment. We thank the team for their swift response.”
The IAF’s prompt deployment of its resources and expertise has been instrumental in mitigating the impact of the fires, which have ravaged several areas in the region. The aerial firefighting operations have complemented the efforts of the ground teams, providing much-needed support in tackling the blazes from above. As the fire situation continues to evolve, the IAF remains committed to extending its assistance and ensuring the safety of the local communities and the preservation of the region’s natural resources.
