Latest news with #AdvancedLightHelicopter
News18
2 days ago
- Climate
- News18
Kishtwar Flash Floods: Search Ops Enter Day 3, J&K CM Visits Chisoti; 60 Dead
Last Updated: Officials said nearly 46 bodies have been identified and handed over to their families, while at least 75 people remain missing. Search and relief work continued for the third straight day on Saturday in Chisoti village of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, where a cloudburst earlier this week claimed more than 60 lives and injured over 100. Officials said nearly 46 bodies have been identified and handed over to their families, while at least 75 people remain missing. Locals, however, fear the actual figure could be much higher as scores may have been swept away in the floods and trapped under debris, boulders and logs. Among the confirmed victims are two CISF personnel and a Special Police Officer. The disaster hit Chisoti — the last road-accessible settlement en route to the Machail Mata shrine — around 12:25 pm on August 14, destroying homes, shops, and vital infrastructure. Rescue Push: Authorities have deployed close to a dozen excavators and heavy machinery, backed by NDRF dog squads and specialised equipment, to speed up recovery operations. CM Visits Site: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the affected area on Saturday. Briefed by Army personnel, he also used a VR headset to gauge the scale of destruction. Air Force Support: The IAF has kept two Mi-17 helicopters and an Advanced Light Helicopter on standby at Jammu and Udhampur to assist in relief efforts. Union Minister's Visit: Union Minister Jitendra Singh, accompanied by J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat, reached Chisoti late Friday night to assess ongoing operations. Pilgrimage Halted: The annual Machail Mata Yatra, which began on July 25 and was scheduled to end on September 5, remains suspended for a third day. The 8.5 km trek to the shrine at 9,500 feet starts from Chisoti, about 90 km from Kishtwar town. Final Rites Ongoing: Of the bodies identified, 34 have been handed over to families in Kishtwar, Jammu, Udhampur and Doda districts, with most already cremated. view comments First Published: August 16, 2025, 12:39 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Climate
- NDTV
Sohail Khan Reacts To Massive Cloudburst In Jammu And Kashmir's Kishtwar: "Really Sad"
New Delhi: Actor Sohail Khan has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic cloudburst in Chashoti, Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. What's Happening Sohail spoke to the media about the calamity and called it a heartbreaking incident in a place he fondly remembers from childhood. "Dekho ye to nature ki baat hai and it is very we think about J&K, it feels really sad...I went there as a child, a long time ago. It's such a beautiful place; we all call it paradise, yet something or the other always happens there. Ye khwaish hai sabse ki us jagah ki bhalayi maange... (I urge people to pray for J&K...)" he said. Background A massive cloudburst struck the Chashoti area along the Machail Mata Yatra route on Thursday, triggering flash floods and causing multiple casualties. Rescue operations are ongoing, with injured victims being treated in district hospitals. Union Minister Jitendra Singh visited the affected region in Kishtwar late on Friday evening and shared details of the government's swift response. Speaking to ANI, Singh said, "The government immediately took cognisance of Modi personally took cognisance of it and monitored it. After that, the equipment was brought here overnight by vehicles. CRPF came here overnight with equipment. Air Force, Indian Army, DG Police, Jammu-Kashmir Police, and today BRO's services have been utilised because they have machines to clear debris from the roads..." He added, "52 bodies have been recovered, of which four bodies have not been identified, while the rest have been identified. Seriously injured patients have been referred outside, with about 52 patients admitted to Jammu Medical College, and those who are more critical will be referred are ongoing. There is no shortage from the government's side. Work is in progress." According to officials, the Indian Air Force has two Mi-17 helicopters and one Advanced Light Helicopter on standby at Jammu and Udhampur. Flights will begin once weather conditions improve. Rescue teams, including the J-K Police and local volunteers, are continuing relief efforts-offering shelter, medical support and food to those affected. Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed the spate of natural disasters across the country in his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort. "Nature is testing the past few days, we have been facing natural disasters, landslides, cloudbursts, and many other calamities. Our sympathies are with the affected people," he said. Sohail Khan is an Indian actor, producer, director, and screenwriter known for his work primarily in Hindi cinema. He made his acting debut with Maine Dil Tujhko Diya (2002), which he also directed and produced. Over the years, he appeared in films like Lakeer, Fight Club, Team: The Force, and Aryan. As a filmmaker, he gained recognition for directing Auzaar (1997), Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998) and Hello Brother (1999), all featuring his brother Salman Khan. He also produced box office hits like Partner and Jai Ho.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
2 days ago
- Climate
- Business Standard
J-K cloudburst: IAF on standby with 3 helicopters for rescue, relief work
Operations will commence at the "first available operational weather window", a source said Press Trust of India New Delhi The Indian Air Force is ready to undertake relief and rescue operations in the aftermath of the deadly cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, with two Mi-17 helicopters and one Advanced Light Helicopter on standby at Jammu and Udhampur, sources said on Friday. Operations will commence at the "first available operational weather window", a source said. A massive flash flood triggered by the cloudburst struck the remote mountain village of Chisoti on Thursday, killing at least 60 people and injuring more than 100, officials said. Authorities have so far identified 30 of the retrieved bodies, they said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke with J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, took stock of the situation, and assured them of all help. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
News18
05-08-2025
- Climate
- News18
Uttarkashi Cloudburst: Man Crawls Out Of Landslide Debris
Last Updated: Uttarakhand Cloudburst News: Shocking video shows man crawling out of debris after cloudburst. Uttarakhand Cloudburst News: A cloudburst on Tuesday triggered flash floods and landslides in Dharali village, leaving a trail of destruction in this high-altitude area of Uttarkashi district. At least four people have been confirmed dead so far, while rescue teams are scrambling to locate the missing. Visuals from the scene show flooded streets, toppled structures and residents screaming for help as water gushed through the village. In one shocking video, a man is seen emerging from under a pile of debris, covered in mud but alive. Authorities said the cloudburst took place in the catchment area of a local tributary, the Kheer Ganga River, which suddenly swelled and overflowed into the village. Rescue operations are being led by the SDRF, Indian Army, and local police. Over 20 people have been evacuated from the area so far, and more are believed to be stranded. The Army said 150 personnel were rushed from its nearby Harshil camp within 10 minutes of the landslide. As a precaution, the local administration has ordered all schools and anganwadis to remain shut on Wednesday. Loudspeaker announcements have been made urging residents in low-lying areas to move to safer ground, with heavy rain expected to continue. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to take stock of the situation. Several political leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal, have expressed condolences and called for speedy relief efforts. As the situation in Uttarkashi's Dharali village remains critical following the devastating cloudburst and landslide, the Indian Air Force has mobilised a fleet of helicopters for potential rescue operations. According to defence sources, two Chinooks, two Mi-17V5s, two Cheetahs, and one Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) are on standby at the Sarasawa, Chandigarh, and Bareilly airbases. The choppers are awaiting weather clearance before being deployed to Harshil, the nearest military post to the affected zone. Once the skies clear, the helicopters will be used based on operational needs. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India.com
26-07-2025
- General
- India.com
Mystery Of The Grounded Fleet: Is Indias Vital ALH Dhruv Fleet Safe To Fly After Porbandar Tragedy?
India's homegrown Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv fleet, which is an invaluable asset to its military, is still largely on the ground after a string of mishaps, the latest being a crash close to Porbandar. Although some of the 330 helicopters have been cleared to fly, especially after the recent air operations increased following the Pahalgam attack, an overall assessment of the entire fleet continues. The ALH Dhruv fleet has been grounded for most of the last three months after an Indian Coast Guard ALH Dhruv helicopter crashed off Porbandar on January 5, 2025. According to a source, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the maker of the aircraft, is clearing the fleet in phases, while the review of the entire fleet is ongoing. Understanding The ALH Dhruv And Its Importance ALH Dhruv is a twin-engine, multi-role, 5.5-tonne helicopter that has been developed and designed by HAL. Ever since it was inducted in 2002, the helicopter has been a workhorse of the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. It carries out multiple missions, such as troop transport, reconnaissance, casualty evacuation, and combat in difficult terrain like the Siachen Glacier. Of the 330 total Dhruv helicopters, the Army has more than 180 (including 60 gun-bearing 'Rudra' variants), the Air Force 75, the Navy 24, and the Coast Guard 19. Army helicopters alone had around 40,000 flight hours last year, highlighting the fleet's crucial contribution to India's military arsenal, particularly along the borders and in relief missions during disasters. A worrying trend of crashes over the past few years has, however, cast doubts about safety. The Porbandar Crash And Subsequent Grounding The January 5, 2025, Coast Guard ALH Dhruv crash off the coast of Porbandar fatally killed all three crew members on board—two pilots and a diver. The incident led to an immediate grounding of the entire Dhruv fleet for an overall safety audit. Although the Army recently resumed flying its checked and cleared helicopters due to heightened security requirements following the Pahalgam attack, most of the fleet is still under scrutiny. Crash Investigation Findings During February 2025's Aero India, HAL Chairman Dr. D.K. Sunil gave a preliminary preview of the Porbandar crash probe. He indicated that a crack in the swash plate of the helicopter was found, an essential part governing the rotor blades, and could have caused the crash. The investigation team is currently attempting to find the causative root of the crack. The final report will determine if there needs to be more fleet-wide inspections or alterations. Dr. Sunil stressed that the Dhruv is not inherently a flawed design. In the last 25 years, 28 Dhruvs have crashed, of which 13 have been caused by technical malfunction, 13 by human error, and 2 by unknown reasons. Notwithstanding that, Dr. Sunil pointed out that the fleet as a whole has collectively logged millions of flight hours, testifying to overall strength. But he also admitted to shortfalls in training and maintenance procedures. Past Mishaps Inspiring Worries The ALH Dhruv fleet of helicopters has witnessed a number of mishaps in recent years, inspiring suspicions about the safety record of the aircraft: October 2024: An Air Force helicopter lost power and ditched while flying on flood relief missions in Bihar. September 2, 2024: A Coast Guard helicopter crashed in the Arabian Sea, killing two personnel. May 2023: An Army helicopter crashed in Jammu, injuring two pilots and a technician. March 2023: A Navy chopper emergency-landed off Mumbai. October 21, 2022: A 'Rudra' variant crashed in Arunachal Pradesh, killing two officers and three soldiers. August 2021: A mishap took place near Pathankot, resulting in fatalities. 2019: The helicopter of the Northern Army Commander crashed, although without any casualties. These accidents resulted in a prior grounding of the fleet in 2023, and its present re-induction is also being handled in phases. Current Status And Future Outlook Presently, although the Army has returned to operation with its cleared helicopters following operational requirements, the Navy and Coast Guard Dhruv fleets are mostly on the ground. HAL's gradual clearance procedure indicates that it may be a while before the complete fleet is operational again. The report of the ongoing investigation will also be significant in determining required adjustments to maintenance schedules or pilot training. Positives: The operational clearance of certain helicopters guarantees the Army's heightened readiness at all times. Concerns: If the swash plate problem found in the Porbandar crash is systemic, it raises a high risk to the entire fleet. Future: HAL has the mandate of making strong enhancements in training, maintenance, and possibly small design adjustments to ensure that future mishaps do not take place and that complete confidence in India's indigenously manufactured helicopter fleet is restored. Implications For India The grounding of the ALH Dhruv fleet has far-reaching implications for India: Security: The ALH is critically needed for border security and disaster relief. A fleet that is partially grounded impacts directly the operational readiness and capability of the military. Indigenous Pride: The Dhruv represents India's defense production self-reliance. Ongoing crashes threaten to undermine public and military confidence in its dependability and overall credibility. Economic Impact: An extended grounding of the fleet would cost HAL and the defence forces heavy financial losses in terms of maintenance budgets, operational expenses, and future procurement strategies.
