For Priyanka Bisht, the past two days were filled with worry as her husband Mukesh’s health worsened. A kidney patient requiring dialysis twice a week, Mukesh’s creatinine levels had spiked, but blocked roads between Mussoorie and Dehradun left the couple unable to reach the hospital.
The Bishts attempted to drive down on Tuesday, but their journey ended at Galogi where road closures forced them to turn back. By Wednesday morning, Mukesh was among 12 patients gathered at the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) helipad in Mussoorie, waiting anxiously to be airlifted to Dehradun.
Critical patients cut off by road closures
Heavy rains and subsequent landslides have disrupted connectivity across Uttarakhand, leaving patients in hill towns unable to reach larger hospitals in Dehradun for critical treatment. For those dependent on dialysis, chemotherapy, or emergency surgery, the delay in medical care posed a life-threatening challenge.
Local authorities coordinated with ITBP to arrange helicopter evacuations. Mukesh and the other patients were prioritised due to the urgency of their medical conditions.
Emotional relief for families
Family members, many of whom had been struggling for two days to find transport options, expressed deep relief when the evacuation finally took place. “We were losing hope after being turned back from the road. This airlift is nothing short of life-saving,” said Priyanka, watching her husband board the helicopter.
Ongoing evacuation efforts
Authorities said that medical evacuations will continue as long as road closures persist. The district administration is working to identify stranded patients and ensure they receive timely transfers to Dehradun.
Officials have also appealed to residents to alert authorities immediately about anyone requiring urgent medical care.
Conclusion
The evacuation of Mukesh and other patients highlights how fragile access to healthcare can become in Uttarakhand’s hill regions during natural disruptions. For now, timely coordination between local administration and ITBP has provided a lifeline to patients in dire need of treatment.