Even as darkness fell and heavy rain and mist impeded views, the search and rescue operation for Andhra Pradesh CM YSR Reddy continued on war footing
Even as darkness fell and heavy rain and mist impeded views, the search and rescue operation for Andhra Pradesh CM YSR Reddy continued on war footing. Though the choppers on the mission were called off, the search continued with...
Control room: It has been set up in the Kurnool area to coordinate the search operation
US Defence Dept: They were approached for satellite support, as Indian satellites had not been able to peer through the clouds and "can't provide real-time imagery and can't scan through clouds", according to Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary Ramakant Reddy. The US has offered to extend all help possible.
ISRO: Along with a low-flying aircraft, they have also deployed the recently launched RISAT-2 to search for the helicopter.
Data from RISAT, however, will only be collected at 9.30 am today, which is when the satellite's orbit passes over the area. ISRO had also provided 41 satellite images of the area last night and an analysis was awaited.
National Remote Sensing Agency: Their low-flying aircraft can fly at a height of 1.25 km and can cover 250 sqkm.
It can also fly in inclement weather and in the night.
Sukhois: IAF pressed into service 2 Su-30MKI fighter aircraft with synthetic aperture radar for high-resolution ground mapping.
IAF: Apart from sending choppers for the search, the IAF also flew three technical personnel from Bangalore to Kurnool to coordinate the aerial search operation.
Army: 300 jawans armed with night-vision equipment. Army is also sending 500 commandos of its Special Force Ghatak, who are specially trained in jungle warfare.
CRPF: The Union Home Ministry rushed in 500 personnel to the area from Chattisgarh and Orissa.
Anti-Naxal forces: As the Nallamalla forests are a Naxal hotbed, Greyhounds of the Octopus and Cobra groups have also entered the search.
Patrol boats: Boats have been sent out on the Krishna river.
Others: Fourteen battalions of the Andhra Pradesh police, forest officials and revenue officials have spread out on foot over 6 districts around the point where they think the helicopter was last seen.
Citizens: Tribals from the area, including Chenchu tribe trackers, were also helping out in the search operations.
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