New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed two of its helicopters equipped with large-size buckets to douse widespread fire in forests of Mount Japfu in Nagaland raging since January 31.
According to the IAF, "This is the first time in the history of our country that helicopters are being utilised for fighting forest fires."
A Mi-17 V5 helicopter, flying from morning till evening, managed to undertake five sorties and was instrumental in dowsing part of the fire which was in two inaccessible pockets of about 1-2 square km each.
Owing to the extent of the fire and destruction caused by it, the Air Force decided to press in one more Mi-17 V5 for the task.
"Massive and widespread fires had been devouring the pristine forests close to Mt Japfu in Kohima and causing widespread destruction to the flora and fauna. After request from the state administration, the newly acquired Mi-17 V5 helicopter was pressed into action using the Forest Fire Fighting Equipment, called 'The Bambi Bucket'," an IAF release said here.
Due to the raging fire, a large portion of forested area east of Mt Japfu is largely inaccessible by foot and continues to smoulder.
The helicopters positioned at Rangapahar, near Dimapur, first carried out aerial sorties for the assessment of the area, the extent of the fire and an open source of water.
"Having identified a small lake near Dimapur as the source, the helicopter dunked a collapsible Bambi Bucket in the lake and hauled up about 2500 kg of water. With the Bambi bucket which was hanging about 25 m below its belly, the helicopter dispensed its load of 2500 kg of water over the raging fires below, at a height of 10,000 feet," the release said.
According to the IAF, "This is the first time in the history of our country that helicopters are being utilised for fighting forest fires."
A Mi-17 V5 helicopter, flying from morning till evening, managed to undertake five sorties and was instrumental in dowsing part of the fire which was in two inaccessible pockets of about 1-2 square km each.
"Massive and widespread fires had been devouring the pristine forests close to Mt Japfu in Kohima and causing widespread destruction to the flora and fauna. After request from the state administration, the newly acquired Mi-17 V5 helicopter was pressed into action using the Forest Fire Fighting Equipment, called 'The Bambi Bucket'," an IAF release said here.
Advertisement
The helicopters positioned at Rangapahar, near Dimapur, first carried out aerial sorties for the assessment of the area, the extent of the fire and an open source of water.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Hundreds Evacuated Amid Raging Forest Fire In Turkey: Report Watch: Air Force, Army's Daring Paradrop Of World's First Portable Hospital At 15,000 Feet Sheikh Hasina's Son Thanks New Delhi For ''Saving Her Life'', Warns Of ''Chaos'' Without Swift Polls Indian Airports, Borders On Alert As Global Mpox Cases Rise: 10 Points Finances Of Kolkata Hospital During Ex-Principal's Tenure Under Scanner UK Tech Tycoon Missing After Superyacht Sinks Off Sicily In Italy US Approves $3.5 Billion Sale Of Military Helicopters To South Korea Watch: Rahul Gandhi Takes An Uber To Share Plight Of Gig Workers 4 Killed, 24 Injured After Truck Rams Stationary Lorry In Noida: Cops Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.