Indian Coast Guard Launches Search for Missing Pilots After Helicopter Emergency Landing

**Helicopter Forced to Land During Rescue Operation Off Porbandar Coast**

The Indian Coast Guard has initiated a large-scale search operation following an emergency landing of one of its helicopters in the Arabian Sea on Monday night. The helicopter, which was involved in a rescue mission, was forced to make an emergency landing off the Porbandar coast. The aircraft, carrying four crew members including two pilots, was responding to a medical evacuation request when the incident occurred.

**Search Efforts and Recovery**

The Coast Guard reported that one of the crew members, a diver, has been recovered and is currently in stable condition. However, the search continues for the remaining diver and the two pilots. The aircraft wreckage has been located, but the exact cause of the emergency landing remains under investigation.

To aid in the search, the Indian Coast Guard has deployed four ships and two aircraft. The operation is being conducted in the waters off Porbandar and Dwarka, focusing on locating the missing crew members.

**Rescue Operation Background**

The incident occurred while the helicopter was attempting to evacuate a seriously injured crew member from the Indian-flagged motor tanker Hari Leela. The tanker was approximately 45 kilometers from Porbandar when it made the distress call. The Coast Guard’s Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) had previously been instrumental in saving 67 lives during recent severe weather in Gujarat.

The rescue operation, which took place amidst challenging conditions including strong winds and low visibility, successfully saved 33 individuals on its first day. On the second day, the Coast Guard continued its efforts, rescuing an additional 28 people, bringing the total number of lives saved to 61.

**Flooding in Gujarat**

In a related note, Gujarat has been experiencing heavy rainfall in recent days, leading to severe flooding. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) recently rescued 22 people trapped in floodwaters in Chachlana village of Kalyanpur tehsil. The floods have displaced hundreds of residents, prompting ongoing relief and evacuation efforts across the state.