Indian Air Force using helicopters with Bambi Buckets to control forest fire in Jammu's Katra
Jammu, May 24 (IBNS): The Indian Air Force (IAF) has pressed into service its MLH class helicopter using Bambi Buckets, to contain the forest fire at Katra.
The local administration has suspended pilgrimage from teh new battery car track, one of the two tracks that go up to the shrine, reports said.
Pilgrims have been allowed to use the old trek route.
According to media reports, nearly 25,000 pilgrims are stranded at Katra owing to the fire at the Trikuta hills.
The Ministry of Defence said in a release on Thursday that the operations stared this morning wherein two helicopters, one each of the Daring Dragons and of Snow Leopards units, of the Western Air Command were launched.
The helicopters filled in water from the Reasi water reservoir in the specially built Bambi Buckets which can carry approximately 2,500 ltrs of water at a time.
The first drop was done in the area of the new track from Ardhkuwari to Bhawan.
“It was a daunting task keeping in mind the challenging terrain and high tension cables in the area,” said Wing Commander Vikram, captain of the lead aircraft.
Operation of these types requires special skills by the pilot who flies with a very heavy load underslung.
“We trained to respond to these types of situations whenever demanded. The operations are scheduled to continue through the day till the fire is contained” said Wing Commander Rahul, captain of the second aircraft.
A recce of the area was carried out on Wednesday to ascertain the complexities of the operations.
Image: TAF/Twitter
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