Watch: Indian Airforce Helps Douse The Massive Forest Fire In Bandipur

Two Indian Air Force (IAF) choppers were deployed to douse the raging fire in Bandipur Reserve Forest and adjoining Gopalaswamy Hill Forest range, as the fire continued to rage for almost a week, The Star Of Mysore reported.

The IAF operations that began on Monday (25 February) afternoon had to be stopped in the evening due to poor light but were resumed last morning (26 February).

Two IAF helicopters (Mi-17 V5) were pressed in to service following a request by the State Government for assistance in containing the raging fire in Bandipur Tiger Reserve forest. In a joint operation, the IAF along with the state fire and forest authorities achieved some success in dousing the raging fire in Bandipur and Gopalaswamy Hill forest areas.

The two IAF choppers, which arrived at Bandipur on Monday (25 February), completed survey sorties over the forest area and and gauged the availability of water nearby. Post which, they held discussions with the Forest officials, and the IAF choppers began their operations.

After drawing water from Nugu Dam in ‘Bambi Buckets’ (a small water tank held by a cable to the helicopter), the helicopters flew over the raging fire and sprayed water.

Following the dousing operation by the two choppers, the raging fire at Moolehole Range in Bandipur has been completely doused, but the fire at Chammanahalla Range is yet to be doused, as the choppers stopped their operation following darkness.

An Air Force statement said “A total of 10 sorties have been flown by the two helicopters spraying approximately 30,000 Iitres of water to fight the fire in the region. After the day’s operations, the helicopters have been positioned at Mysuru and will commence the fire fighting operations at sunrise.”