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UPDATE & URGENT REQUEST FOR ADVANCED MOUNTAINEERS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
On January 22, a ground team searched Jalsu Pass to Laake wali mata mandir and found Rohit's hat. They returned to base on January 23 with the hat. Additional steps have been planned but bad weather and heavy snowfall have prevented the team from conducting further searches. Search will resume once conditions are favourable.
This is a POSITIVE sign and has helped us in narrowing down the search area. WE ARE LOOKING FOR ADVANCED MOUNTAINEERS TO REACH BIR, KANGRA AND HELP WITH SEARCH EFFORTS. ALL EXPENSES WILL BE COVERED. PLEASE REACH OUT TO rescuerohit@gmail.com IF YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW HAS WITH THE SKILLS.
Additionally, a team of data scientists and volunteers working on geo-spatial analysis are currently in Bir working on processing and scanning the images.
We are absolutely grateful to the authorities, rescue members, volunteers, and contributors for all the help and support we've received. Thank you for your tremendous efforts, contributions, wishes and prayers.
UPDATESSTORY
Rohit Bhadauria is an Indian paragliding pilot in Bir, Himachal Pradesh. He went flying on Friday, 8 January 2021 and has been missing ever since.
Rohit Bhadauria is an Indian paragliding pilot in Bir, Himachal Pradesh. He went flying on Friday, 8 January 2021 and has been missing ever since.
Rohit is a seasoned pilot and a well-loved member of the flying community and the village where he lives. We need YOUR help NOW to help with resources to find Rohit and bring him home to his wife and son.
Details so far:
- Rescue missions in the Himalayas are challenging because of the treacherous terrains and extreme weather conditions.
- Rescue teams by air and on foot have been dispatched to trace him. Helicopter flights cost Rs 1 lakh per hour (USD 1367 per hour) and these can be in the air when conditions are favourable. Teams on foot are combing the area where he was last seen.
As of January 13, an amount of Rs 10,00,000 (USD 13,674) has been spent on rescue efforts and we need your help in organizing more missions. Please contribute and share this with your communities. Any contribution will greatly help.
The incredible community in Bir, made up of paraglider pilots and villagers, have been tireless in their search for Rohit.
Since Friday, 8 January 2020, 13 search missions by helicopter have been conducted, of which 7 were privately organised and 6 were conducted by the IAF. 38 people have been deployed on the ground. A powered paraglider pilot was called in to fly closer to the ridges. In addition, 3 drones were used to search in hard to reach areas.
Search details for Wednesday, January 13 2020:
1. The IAF conducted a search using a helicopter in the areas, stretching from his last location to Dharamshala and Thamsar Pass. A second IAF helicopter was deployed to cover the Chamba valley.
2. A search was conducted using a powered paraglider. The areas searched ranged from Billing to another flying point.
3. A ground team of 19 people were deployed to search Parai-dhar up to Jalsu Pass.
4. Another ground team checked the Tatwani area till the snow line beyond which it became difficult for them to search further. The valley floor was checked too.
5. 3 ground teams were deployed to search in Manai forest area with the help of drones. This is their third day in the area.
6. A total area of 58 sq km was covered.
Search details for Friday, January 16, 2020:
1. 9-member team searched Kandhwari valley.
2. 12-member team searched Tatapani valley and vulnerable areas in the valley.
3. 6-member team was deployed on the dam ridge, to search the areas of the dam ridge till Waldo (flying point) and beyond.
4. 10 member team searched areas in Pat forest.
5. 2 members of the team led by the Sub Divisional Magistrate searched in the valleys between Big Face (flying point) and Palampur.
2. 12-member team searched Tatapani valley and vulnerable areas in the valley.
3. 6-member team was deployed on the dam ridge, to search the areas of the dam ridge till Waldo (flying point) and beyond.
4. 10 member team searched areas in Pat forest.
5. 2 members of the team led by the Sub Divisional Magistrate searched in the valleys between Big Face (flying point) and Palampur.
Search details for Sunday, January 17, 2020:
1. Two teams of 06 and 09 members each travelled to Rajgunda area to search areas between Hanumangarh and Palachak. Out of these two teams , one has been called off because of heavy snow in the area which prevented them from moving further.
2. A team searched Pat forest area that wasn't covered before.
3. Bakkarkhaia area will be searched once weather permits.
- 7 private helicopter expeditions (1 hour duration each): Rs 7,00,000
- 20 on ground search team (Rs 2000 per day): Rs 1,60,000
- Food and miscellaneous items for search teams: Rs 40,000
- 33 on ground search team (Rs 2000 per day): Rs 4,62,000
- Food and miscellaneous items for search teams: Rs 1,15,500
- Satellite imaging: Rs 50000 for 50 sq km search
- Powered Paragliding (Pilot service fees + gear): Rs 3,000
- Drone (Pilot service fees + gear): Rs 35,000
- Transport: Rs 10,000
Current status:
Helicopter missions have been called off and ground efforts have been intensified to cover as many areas as possible. A fourth drone is being brought in. Image-based satellite search is in planning. Heavy snowfall and bad weather are expected in the following week which will need to be factored into rescue plans. Efforts will continue until Rohit is found.
Gratitude:
To the donors and supporters of this fund, thank you for your kind and generous contribution. We are very grateful. Your contribution has given us the means to conduct the search expeditions. We cannot do this without you.
To the professionals, volunteers, friends and well-wishers who are on the ground: Thank you for the immeasurable hard work and heartfelt effort you are doing! The terrain and weather conditions are tough, and we thank you for overcoming all obstacles.
To the IAF: A huge thank you to the IAF for providing free helicopters for 2 expeditions.
To the donors and supporters of this fund, thank you for your kind and generous contribution. We are very grateful. Your contribution has given us the means to conduct the search expeditions. We cannot do this without you.
To the professionals, volunteers, friends and well-wishers who are on the ground: Thank you for the immeasurable hard work and heartfelt effort you are doing! The terrain and weather conditions are tough, and we thank you for overcoming all obstacles.
To the IAF: A huge thank you to the IAF for providing free helicopters for 2 expeditions.
