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Pilot and Telangana Tourist Rescued After Being Trapped in High-Tension Power Lines at Dharamshala Paragliding Site
A local pilot and a woman tourist from Telangana were rescued after a tense four-hour operation in Dharamshala’s Indrunag paragliding zone, where their tandem flight became entangled in high-tension power lines shortly after takeoff. Police, fire crews, power department teams, and mountaineering experts worked together to bring them down safely, reigniting concerns over paragliding safety standards in Himachal Pradesh.
A pilot and a woman tourist from Telangana were rescued on Thursday evening after being stranded for nearly four hours in a high-intensity, high-risk situation at Dharamshala. The two became trapped in high-tension power transmission lines at the Indrunag paragliding site after losing control of their tandem glider.
The incident occurred moments after takeoff, when sudden strong winds or a possible technical fault caused the pilot to lose control. Within seconds, the glider drifted off course and became entangled in the overhead power lines, leaving both individuals hanging precariously at a significant height.
Local authorities immediately cut power to the affected transmission line to prevent any further danger. The rescue operation—carried out by police personnel, fire brigade teams, power department officials, and mountaineering specialists—was executed with extreme caution due to the sensitive nature of the situation. Rescuers used ropes, harnesses, and an aerial ladder to reach the pair. Strong winds and the unstable position of the glider slowed down the effort, but the team eventually managed to bring both of them down safely.
Medical teams at the site confirmed that the pilot and the tourist escaped without major injuries, though both were visibly shaken by the ordeal.
The incident has once again raised concerns about safety standards at Indrunag, one of Himachal Pradesh’s most popular paragliding take-off points. Local residents have renewed their calls for stricter regulations, enhanced operator training, regular equipment inspections, and the relocation of high-tension power lines near flight paths to prevent similar accidents in the future.
District Magistrate Hemraj Bairwa said that an inquiry has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the incident, and appropriate action will follow based on the findings.
