Bengaluru: The HQ Training Command in Bengaluru immediately responded to the request of the state government to come to the aid of the flood-affected people in the hilly regions of Kodagu in Madikeri area. It deployed three MI helicopters to reach aid to the affected.
The request was received on August 16 and an Mi-17 helicopter was immediately prepared to launch for the mission and contacts were established with state officials in the entire region. No rescue operations could be initiated on August 16 since the weather was inhospitable for flying. Seeing the gravity of the situation the helicopter was positioned in Mysuru on August 17, a press release from the training command stated.
After a detailed reconnaissance, the helicopter was positioned at Kushalnagar, an area close to affected sites of Kodagu to respond quickly.
On August 19, after two unsuccessful attempts, the MI 17 was finally able to reach landslide affected area of Muduklu and dropped the relief material. A total of five sorties were flown on August 18 and 19.
One more helicopter was positioned in the area for aerial recce of the affected areas on August 18 and 19 by CM H.D. Kumaraswamy along with a team of state officials and representatives from operations of IAF.
