Indian Air Force Aerial Firefighting Operations in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is undertaking sustained aerial firefighting operations in the Northeastern region of the country, responding to active forest fires in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

At Walong, Arunachal Pradesh, IAF helicopters have successfully extinguished a major wildfire. A total of 139,800 litres of water was dropped during multiple sorties to contain and eliminate the blaze in the affected area.

Simultaneously, firefighting operations are continuing over Dzukou Valley in Nagaland. The IAF Mi-17 V5 helicopters are undertaking water-bucketing missions, drawing water from Padumpokhiri Lake, Dimapur, to combat fires in the vicinity of Japfu Peak.

The operations are being conducted under challenging conditions, including steep terrain, poor visibility and rarefied air at high altitudes. Despite these constraints, IAF crews continue to carry out missions with precision and commitment in close co-ordination with civil administration, and Indian Army.

The Indian Air Force remains Indian Air Force and the local civil administration, remain fully committed to dousing residual flames, preventing flare-ups, and securing affected areas and is dedicated to providing all necessary assistance to civil authorities in safeguarding lives, property and the environment.

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