NEW DELHI: In an innovative step, the IAF on Saturday established "an aviation fuel supply bridge" at Dharasu in Uttarakhand to give greater impetus to the ongoing rescue operations, which were being severely restricted due to non availability of aviation fuel. 

The first C-130J "Super Hercules" aircraft from the Hindon airbase landed at Dharasu, an advanced landing ground with an airstrip only 1300-feet long, early on Saturday morning for the first time despite inclement weather. 

"On landing the aircraft defueled 8,000 litres of fuel into an empty bowser which had been airlifted on Friday from Sarsawa by a Mi-26 heavy-lift helicopter. With the availability of additional fuel now at Dharasu, the extraction, evacuation and rescue operations have picked up pace and the available helicopters are now able to make more number of trips," said IAF spokesperson Squadron Leader Priya Joshi. 

Apart from the carrying fuel to Dharasu, the first C-130J on its return trip carried about 40 and the second aircraft about 100 injured and stranded pilgrims to the safer plains of Air Force Station at Hindon, on the outskirts of Delhi. 

An emergency medical centre has been set up at Hindon for the medical check-up of all the people arriving on board the aircraft. 

"The first two C-130J aircraft carried fuel to Dharasu, while a third is carrying a medical team of the IAF to attend to sick people at Dharasu itself before they are moved out to safer places," she said. 

Having paved the way for fixed wing aircraft landing at Dharasu, the IAF also pressed its AN-32 aircraft also into action. These aircraft are carrying disaster communication equipment, some more aviation fuel, Sudan pumps for refueling the helicopters and 4,200 kgs of bridging equipment of BRO. The heavy lift Mi-26 helicopter will also be airlifting the heavy equipment of BRO to facilitate road repair and construction work. 

"While the fuel bridging has given impetus to rescue operations, increased flying activity in the narrow valleys is posing a new challenge to traffic management and safe flying. IAF has inducted additional personnel to ensure smooth planning, coordination and execution of flying operations, be it Air Force, Army or civilian operators," she said. 

"Since Saturday morning, till 3 pm in the afternoon, the IAF has flown about 149 sorties in which 26, 700 kgs of load and 1,355 passengers were airlifted. Overall, the IAF towards 'Op Rahat', has flown 768 sorties in which 1,03,350 kgs of load has been dropped/landed and 5,347 passengers airlifted," she said.

Source: The Times of India, DT. June 22, 2013.