In a dramatic incident that highlights the challenges of flood relief operations, an Indian Air Force (IAF) Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) had to make an emergency landing in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district on October 2, 2024. The chopper, which was part of ongoing flood relief efforts, was returning from delivering supplies to affected areas when a technical snag forced the pilots to land in a waterlogged region in Sitamarhi sector.
According to initial reports, the helicopter encountered engine failure during its return flight, prompting an emergency landing in the flooded fields. The crew on board included two pilots and a technical officer, all of whom were rescued by local villagers and a team from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported, although one pilot, Squadron Leader Praveen, sustained a minor back injury and is receiving treatment at Sri Krishna Medical College in Muzaffarpur.
The helicopter’s pilot, Squadron Leader Praveen, has been praised for his quick thinking and courageous efforts in ensuring the safe landing of the aircraft in a precarious situation. The aircraft was partially submerged in the floodwaters, but the timely response of local villagers, who rushed to the scene with boats, helped in the swift rescue of the crew. According to reports from the IAF and local officials, the helicopter had been involved in distributing relief supplies to remote and severely impacted regions of the state before encountering the issue.
Bihar has been experiencing severe flooding, particularly in its northern regions, due to heavy rains and water discharge from barrages in Nepal. The Kosi and Gandak rivers have breached their banks, affecting hundreds of villages and prompting large-scale evacuations. The situation worsened when the Mandar dam in Sitamarhi’s Belsand block was breached on September 29, causing massive flooding and cutting off access to several areas.
As flood relief operations continue, both state and central governments are closely monitoring the situation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have assured the Bihar government of full support, and relief funds have already been allocated to aid recovery efforts. Union Minister Nityanand Rai confirmed that the central government is providing “all possible help” to the state, while Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has highlighted the unprecedented nature of the flooding. Over 6.6 lakh cusecs of water have been released from major barrages, and the Deputy CM assured that the combined efforts of both governments would mitigate the damage as much as possible.
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In response to the helicopter incident, the Ministry of Defence is conducting an inquiry to determine the exact cause of the engine failure. The ALH-Dhruv helicopters, used extensively by the Indian armed forces for a range of operations, had been temporarily grounded earlier this year due to similar technical concerns, adding another layer of scrutiny to this incident.
While Bihar continues to battle the effects of widespread flooding, the focus remains on ensuring that relief operations proceed smoothly. The state has mobilized resources to provide immediate assistance, and efforts to restore connectivity to flood-hit areas are underway. The incident involving the IAF helicopter serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those involved in these critical operations.
