Successful Rescue Operation Saves Paragliding Pilot in Mandi District
Challenging Rescue Operation in Mandi
Munish Sood
Mandi: A potentially life-threatening paragliding incident in Mandi district concluded positively on Tuesday when a pilot, whose parachute became ensnared in a 33 KV high-tension power line near Tandu, was rescued after nearly four hours of intense efforts.
The situation caused alarm in the vicinity as the paraglider was left precariously suspended in the air, with the risk of electrocution complicating the rescue operation.
Upon receiving the alert, local police notified relevant agencies, prompting a swift response from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Gawar Company, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), who collaborated on the rescue mission.
The operation lasted close to four hours, with rescue teams facing difficult conditions to safely lower the pilot. A large crane from Gawar Company was utilized to assist in the operation, ultimately enabling the teams to complete the challenging task.
Siddharth, the Deputy Project Manager (DPM) of Gawar Company, stated that the company promptly deployed its heavy crane to support the rescue efforts. He emphasized that the effective collaboration and meticulous execution by all involved agencies were vital for the pilot's safe recovery.
The presence of the high-voltage power line posed significant risks throughout the operation, necessitating extreme caution from the rescue personnel while working at such heights.
After nearly four hours of dedicated efforts, the combined teams successfully brought the pilot back to safety.
This successful operation underscored the critical need for coordination among disaster response teams, law enforcement, and infrastructure firms in managing complex emergencies. The timely use of specialized equipment and the joint efforts of NHAI, Gawar Company, SDRF, and NDRF prevented what could have been a major disaster.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of several recent paragliding accidents in Himachal Pradesh, raising renewed concerns regarding flight safety, weather monitoring, and emergency response protocols at the state's popular paragliding sites.