Search for missing AN-32 aircraft battles high monsoon winds

Defence Ministry sources said the search operations were continuing round the clock, despite difficult monsoon weather conditions and poor visibility. The sea is very choppy, and covered by thick monsoon clouds, the sources said. High southwesterly winds of speed 18-20 knots are blowing over the area, and visibility is 3-4 nautical miles.

The Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre at Chennai has been coordinating the search effort along with the Southern Air Command of the IAF, the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.

The search efforts are concentrated in an area 151 nautical miles east of Chennai where the missing transport aircraft was last seen on the radar of the Chennai air traffic control. The area around the last known location has been divided into grids, which is being scouted by Navy and Coast Guard ships, and IAF, Navy and CG aircraft.

A total of 19 ships (13 from the Navy and six from the CG) and 12 aircraft (8 from the Navy and 2 each from the IAF and CG) are part of the operations. Five helicopters of the Navy are also available for the search and rescue operations in the vicinity. The Navy has also deployed a submarine for locating transmissions from the aircraft’s emergency locator beacon.

WATCH VIDEO: Indian Air Force’s An-32 Plane Goes Missing

During his visit to Air Force Station Tambaram and INS Rajali, Parrikar was briefed on the search operations over the last 24 hours, and utilisation of assets from the Navy, IAF and CG. According to defence ministry officials, Parrikar said more resources should be put into the search and rescue operations if needed. He also reviewed the situation on ground and flew over the area of operations in a P-8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft of the Navy.

IAF Chief ACM Arup Raha, and Vice Admiral HCS Bisht, head of Eastern Naval Command, were present during Parrikar’s visit.

The missing twin-engine aircraft belonged to the 33 Squadron of IAF at Sulur.