[dhanushmenon]

Rescue and Relief Operations

The rescue operations by the Navy was done by the rescue basket.



The rescue basket, which can seat two at a time, was a game changer indeed. Compared to a single person lift through a strop, this is much safer, efficient and faster.

https://youtu.be/3TT64dz11T4

Awaiting arrival of Rescue



Eyes on the sky.



Helicopter arrives and lowers the basket. Two at a time is seated inside under the supervision of Flight Navy Diver (in black neoprene suit).



Hoisted. Ready to be winched up.



Closer to safety.



In safe zone now. Smile, for one snap to remember.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1E_v1kV_YI

Rescue from another rooftop. 15 elders who weren't strong enough to wade across the current in the river were rescued from here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp1mEP3_xIk

Another rooftop rescue. Two bridges that connected this village to mainland had submerged.



One of the most challenging rescues we attempted.
The proximity of the high tension cable and cross winds made the rescue very risky. Two elders survived on the tree for three days. When the helicopter approached, they climbed down and with the help of a pole nearby, they managed to stand amidst the strong current.



Proximity of the high tension cable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eowZoer7vME

Thoroughly satisfying and totally worth the efforts.







The rescued people were shifted to any suitable landing site nearby (open spaces, grounds etc).



If no landing site was available nearby, or if they required medical assistance, they were shifted back to the airfield at Belgaum where they were administered medical support.

[volkman10]

Dhanush -salute to you, your team and all your colleagues engaged actively in the rescue efforts. Proud of you all!

Thanks GTO for this thread and honoring Dhanush, the least we can do!

[VIKINGTILLDEATH]

Hats of Dhanush.
Really feel proud to be part of such community where people like Dhanush humbly join as Public servant.

[jkaushik]

Originally Posted by dhanushmenon

Rescue and Relief Operations

Dhanush Sir, All I can say is Salute and Thank you!
And Thanks to GTO for this thread. The best thing about our forum is that it unites people from diverse fields. I am new to this forum and I feel privileged to know Mr.Dhanush's heroics from the man himself.

[Ithaca]

Hats off to Commander Dhanush Menon (Mr. D) and his team for providing yeoman service to the people in desperate need.
Please know that normal citizens like me applaud all that you and your team are doing and keep you in our prayers.
Kindly extend our thanks, gratitude and regards to all the members of your team.

[SmartCat]

Originally Posted by dhanushmenon

The rescue operations by the Navy was done by the rescue basket. The rescue basket, which can seat two at a time, was a game changer indeed. Compared to a single person lift through a strop, this is much safer, efficient and faster.

Dhanush, what happens after the rescue basket gets to the helicopter door? How do passengers get into the copter? Any video of the transfer from rescue basket to helicopter?

[TorqueKnight]

Dear Commander Dhanush Ji,
Hats off to you and all the brave soldiers of India. We are safe all because of selfless soldiers like you. Feeling immense proud to be part of our community. May god bless you and your family (And all the soldiers family). Jai Hind! Vande Mataram!

Thanks,
TK

[dhanushmenon]

Relief operations... Contd/-

After the initial days, the focus shifts mainly to provide relief material at the affected areas. We did provide relief material too, though our main focus was on rescue of stranded people.



Loading relief material.



Eyes to sky!



Distribution of relief material.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPg1CilA2po

Relief material was lowered to places where landing was not possible.



The local populace helped in unloading and distribution.



Food and water was provided even in middle of paddy fields.



We also carried many media personnel. Media getting a first hand look into the devastation and our operations. In this snap (above), Mirror Now journalists take stock of situation.



Onlookers at an impromptu landing field.

Times like these brings everyone together. Be it the King or his subject. It was very heartening to see everyone working together towards the greater good of humanity. I was mighty pleased with the cooperation and unity of people in time of need. May we all be good humans first and then individuals.



As a parting shot, I thank the machine that made all this happen- ALH Dhruv, by HAL. Wishing you all good health and happiness.

Warm regards,

[Durango Dude]

Glad to know we have a real hero in our midst, Hats off Cmdr Dhanush Menon!

[adi.mariner]

Thank you Commander Dhanush for the untiring rescue efforts. The aerial photos and videos tell about the scary reality of the floods.

[McLaren Rulez]

I have no words to commend you and your fellow heroes enough! Thank you for your bravery and commitment.

[dhanushmenon]

Originally Posted by lokii_83

Salute to commander Sab, Dhanush!!

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

Dhanush, you keep making the community proud at every opportunity. Not enough superlatives to praise you and your team

Originally Posted by laluks

Dhanush Kudos man, words cant express the gratitude

Thanks GTO for this thread.

Originally Posted by Max63

Hats off to Commander Dhanush, We feel safe due to the presence of the armed forces everywhere be it protecting Kashmir and the country or in Floods in the plains.

Originally Posted by NPV

Thank you Dhanush - We are blessed to have so many patriots like you and others in our armed forces who serve the nation day in and day out tirelessly and selflessly. Take a bow!

For people in Distress - don't worry, we have Mr.D just round the corner or just above to help

Originally Posted by volkman10

Dhanush -salute to you, your team and all your colleagues engaged actively in the rescue efforts. Proud of you all!

Thanks GTO for this thread and honoring Dhanush, the least we can do!

Originally Posted by VIKINGTILLDEATH

Hats of Dhanush.
Really feel proud to be part of such community where people like Dhanush humbly join as Public servant.

Originally Posted by jkaushik

Dhanush Sir, All I can say is Salute and Thank you!
And Thanks to GTO for this thread.

Originally Posted by Ithaca

Hats off to Commander Dhanush Menon (Mr. D) and his team for providing yeoman service to the people in desperate need.

Thanks a lot everyone for your kind words and warm appreciation. Really overwhelmed with this tremendous response. Shall definitely convey the best wishes to my team.

Originally Posted by SmartCat

Dhanush, what happens after the rescue basket gets to the helicopter door? How do passengers get into the copter? Any video of the transfer from rescue basket to helicopter?

Once the basket reached in line with the cabin floor of the helicopter, the winch control is handed over to the copilot (there's a switch for winch operation on his flight control stick). The winch operator then pulls the basket inside while the co-pilot lowers the winch. I may have a video. Need to search. Shall upload it subsequently.

Originally Posted by TorqueKnight

Dear Commander Dhanush Ji,
Hats off to you and all the brave soldiers of India. Jai Hind! Vande Mataram!

Thanks,
TK

Originally Posted by Durango Dude

Glad to know we have a real hero in our midst, Hats off Cmdr Dhanush Menon!

Originally Posted by adi.mariner

Thank you Commander Dhanush for the untiring rescue efforts. The aerial photos and videos tell about the scary reality of the floods.

Originally Posted by McLaren Rulez

I have no words to commend you and your fellow heroes enough! Thank you for your bravery and commitment.

Thank you very much everyone. It was a team work and I'm glad to say that everyone pitched in when it counted. The armed forces, civil administration, the local populace and also the people back in our bases who supported us with administrative support. Most importantly, our spouses back at home who has been our backbones with moral support and courage.

Thanks everyone once again for your very kind words. I actually did not even know that a thread was live for this till the time my good friend, Kochi Bhpian, BigBrad messaged me with the link. Thanks once again to GTO for this honour. I feel really elated.

[abirnale]

Dhanush Chettai, thanks a ton for everything you do! Having seen the devastation earlier and now family coping up with the losses, can't thank you enough for doing what you do. The NDRF, SDRF, Navy, AF, MLI from Belgaum and Kolhapur - everyone has chimed in. Your help and support is above everything for victims.

Privileged to have been connected with you for long! We met in Himalayas, thanks to your XUV. Now I am looking forward to catch up while you are close to my home

"Thank you" doesn't sum-up the feelings

[ToothyPetrohead]

Simply appalling to see the real sad state of affairs of those in suffering, here most of us do not realize the plight sitting in the comfort of our homes.

GTO it is really nice of you to acknowledge , show appreciate and bring to light the wonderful effort of one of our own tirelessly working to give comfort to another in need. Many would put it as his job but the very act is commendable.

My hats off to you Dhanush a true essence to your name.

This herculean task or act, unlike those, who only give tinpot display of work done for merit with no concrete acts or work on their part is refreshing to see here first hand in this thread.

With pride I say awesome job and cheers to you and your team for your attainment. You all are truely “Angles in Disguise”.

[BlackPearl]

Respect Commander Dhanush! The Team bhp forum is proud of you.

Thanks @GTO for the thread.