Amid the unprecedented floods triggered by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, incessant rainfall led to the swelling of the Torsa river, inundating huge areas throughout West Bengal and Bhutan.
Responding swiftly to an emergency evacuation request on Sunday, the Indian Military launched two helicopters from Sevoke Highway Aviation Base to undertake a crucial rescue mission within the Phuentsholing space of Bhutan.
Braving marginal climate circumstances and low visibility, the Military Aviation pilots carried out an aerial reconnaissance earlier than skillfully touchdown in difficult terrain to evacuate stranded civilians to security.
A senior army official remarked: “The Indian Military stays ever prepared to help civil authorities in occasions of disaster. This operation displays our deep dedication to humanitarian values and the enduring friendship between India and Bhutan.”
The profitable mission highlights the Indian Military’s dedication to humanitarian help and catastrophe aid operations, exemplifying its ethos of ‘Service Earlier than Self’ whereas additional strengthening bilateral cooperation and goodwill between the 2 nations.
The Royal Authorities of Bhutan has expressed honest gratitude to the Indian Military for its well timed and life-saving help, in addition to to the Royal Bhutan Military and Druk Air groups for his or her brave efforts.
“Through the early phases of the rescue operation, two people had been reported lacking; one believed to have been washed away and the opposite unaccounted for,” Bhutan’s Ministry of Residence Affairs mentioned in a press observe.
“Native authorities rapidly sought assist from Druk Air Helicopter Companies. Sadly, attributable to inclement climate, the helicopter was unable to take off from Paro. The Royal Bhutan Military (RBA) then coordinated with the Indian Military for pressing help,” it added.
In a immediate and commendable response, two helicopters from the Indian Military had been deployed and arrived on the website round 12:55 p.m. on Sunday.
The helicopters efficiently airlifted the three stranded people to the CST floor, from the place they had been transported to the hospital for medical care.
“In a constructive flip of occasions, it was later confirmed that the 2 beforehand reported lacking staff had been additionally discovered alive and protected,” it mentioned.
“The Royal Authorities of Bhutan extends its heartfelt appreciation and deep gratitude to the Indian Military for his or her well timed and life-saving help,” it added.