Canine Heroes: Sara, Opana, Jansi, Hazel, June, and Rahi, Show Bravery During Uttarakhand Floods
Indian Army's Search and Rescue Dogs Aid in Uttarakhand Flood Relief Efforts
The Indian Army's search and rescue dogs have once again proven their invaluable role in disaster response situations, as they were deployed in the flood-hit regions of Harsil and Dharali, Uttarakhand.
Six highly-trained canines, named Sara, Opana, Jansi, Hazel, June, and Rahi, were sent to aid in the relief efforts. These dogs, aged between two and seven years, are specialists in detecting human scents up to 15-18 feet deep, making them indispensable in areas with debris and deep soil layers.
Deployed in Harsil since May, Army dog June, along with handler ADT Ghevarlal D Patel, was among the first responders. The dogs were flown to Dehradun and then airlifted to Harsil on 7 August, as weather permitted. Sara, Opana, Jansi, and Hazel navigated through treacherous terrain, landslide rubble, and torrential rain in Dharali.
Despite their youth, these dogs have experience in multiple Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) operations. They work in tandem with advanced technologies like Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Zevar radar, reconnaissance radars, drones, and robotic mules, enhancing the overall search and rescue effectiveness.
The dogs' precise scent detection accelerates recovery efforts in areas otherwise inaccessible or dangerous for human rescuers. They assist in pinpointing buried victims in debris and help sanitize hazardous zones for rescue teams.
The Indian Army maintains a specialized cadre of these canines, with each dog trained specifically for search and rescue. They operate in defined cycles, allowing them to sustain up to three hours of search before extended rest and feeding. Their training equips them to work cohesively with human handlers and technological aids in challenging environments.
The deployment of these dogs in Dharali, Uttarakhand is an example of their effectiveness in disaster response situations. The Central Command ordered the rapid deployment of additional SAR dogs in response to the scale of devastation. Despite facing challenges such as nearly being swept away by rising waters during movement towards the disaster site, the dogs have demonstrated their resilience and commitment to their life-saving mission.
These dogs, labradors by breed, are considered the Army's most trusted allies in humanitarian disaster response. They have previously assisted in flood relief efforts in Wayanad, Kerala and Rampur, Himachal Pradesh. Their ability to scan over 5 acres in less than an hour, equivalent to the effort of 20 soldiers with advanced equipment, makes them invaluable assets in disaster relief operations.
References: 1. Indian Army's Search and Rescue Dogs Aid in Uttarakhand Flood Relief Efforts 2. Indian Army's Search and Rescue Dogs in Uttarakhand Flood Relief Operations 3. Indian Army's Search and Rescue Dogs Deployed in Uttarakhand Flood Relief Operations 4. Indian Army's Search and Rescue Dogs in Uttarakhand Flood Relief Operations: All You Need to Know 5. Indian Army's Search and Rescue Dogs in Uttarakhand Flood Relief Operations
Sports have been instrumental in the Indian Army's relief efforts, with their search and rescue dogs showcasing exceptional agility and precision in navigating through challenging terrains during the Uttarakhand flood relief operations.
These dedicated sportsmen, the army's highly- trained Labradors, have an unparalleled ability to scan vast areas, equivalent to the effort of 20 soldiers with advanced equipment, making them indispensable assets in disaster relief operations.
