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Army plays saviour in rain-ravaged Uttarakhand

Last updated on: June 20, 2013 09:24 IST
Indian Army personnel rescuing stranded people in rain-ravaged and landslide-hit Uttarakhand on Wednesday

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

Last updated on: June 20, 2013 09:24 IST
Army personnel conducting flood-relief operation in Uttarakhand

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

Last updated on: June 20, 2013 09:24 IST
Army personnel shifting injured people to hospital in Uttarakhand

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

Last updated on: June 20, 2013 09:24 IST
Army personnel rescuing stranded people in rain-ravaged Uttarakhand

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

Last updated on: June 20, 2013 09:24 IST
Army conducting flood-relief operation in Uttarakhand

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

Last updated on: June 20, 2013 09:24 IST
An army personnel rescues an injured person in rain-ravaged Uttarakhand

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

Last updated on: June 20, 2013 09:24 IST
Army personnel rescuing stranded people in rain-ravaged Uttarakhand

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

Last updated on: June 20, 2013 09:24 IST
Army-constructed rescue helipad at landslide-hit Govindghat in Uttarakhand

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

Last updated on: June 20, 2013 09:24 IST
Food and water being provided to stranded people by army in rain-ravaged Harsil, Uttarakhand

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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Last updated on: June 20, 2013 09:24 IST

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