भारतीय वायुसेना के हेलिकॉप्टर ने असम में बाढ़ग्रस्त ब्रह्मपुत्र में फंसे 13 मछुआरों को बचाया

IAF chopper rescues 13 fishermen stranded on flooded Brahmaputra in Assam

IAF Chopper Rescues 13 Fishermen Stranded on Flooded Brahmaputra in Assam

By Utpal Parashar

Jul 02, 2024 10:18 AM IST

Thirteen fishermen were rescued by an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter on Tuesday morning after being stranded on a sandbar in the middle of the Brahmaputra River in Assam’s Dibrugarh. The water level of the river had risen due to heavy rainfall since Friday, leaving the fishermen unable to return to safety.

The second wave of floods in Assam, which began on Sunday, has significantly impacted the region. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the rescue operation was initiated after attempts to reach the fishermen by boat failed on Monday.

“ASDMA requested the IAF to airlift the 13 stranded fishermen. A medical checkup has been conducted, and all are safe,” stated an ASDMA official.

The fishermen had been marooned on the sandbar, located in the middle of the Brahmaputra, since Friday. This situation arose due to the significant rise in the river's water level caused by continuous heavy rainfall. Over the past five days, the Brahmaputra’s water level has been fluctuating above 105 meters and has crossed the danger level of 105.70 meters at Dibrugarh multiple times. The exact frequency of these occurrences cannot be determined precisely due to the variable water flow in the river.

ASDMA explained that the increase in water level is attributed to high rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the Brahmaputra, specifically Siang and Lohit rivers, and other tributaries in Arunachal Pradesh. Nearby rivers, such as Burhidihing and Sessa, are also flowing above the danger level.

Earlier on Sunday, ASDMA deployed another IAF helicopter to rescue eight State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel and one revenue official from Jonai, Dhemaji. These individuals were stranded on a sandbar during a relief operation. The high flood levels and turbulent water made it impossible to send additional boats, prompting Assam Police and the Fire and Emergency Service to seek assistance from the IAF as a last resort.

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