An Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter, returning after delivering food supplies to flood-affected areas in Darbhanga, made an emergency landing in Muzaffarpur district on Wednesday.
Muzaffarpur District Magistrate Subrat Kumar Sen confirmed that a swift rescue operation was conducted with assistance from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), safely evacuating all four onboard, including the pilot and co-pilot. The officials were taken to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) for evaluation, though no injuries were reported.
Sen further stated that Indian Air Force officials have been notified and will investigate the technical issues that led to the emergency landing. According to sources, the helicopter encountered technical difficulties while flying over Muzaffarpur, prompting the pilot to skillfully land it in the middle of floodwaters, avoiding a crash.
In an unfortunate incident, locals arrived at the landing site by boat and looted the food supplies meant for flood victims.
The Indian Air Force had been deployed for food distribution in flood-hit areas following Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s orders after he conducted an aerial survey of the affected regions, including Champaran, Tirhut, Kosi, and Seemanchal.
The flooding, worsened by heavy rainfall in Nepal’s catchment areas, resulted in the release of water from the Valmikinagar Gandak Barrage and Kosi Barrage since September 27, severely affecting districts such as West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Supaul, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Madhubani, Purnea, Araria, Katihar, and Kishanganj.
