Wet helipad sinks as President Murmu's helicopter lands in Kerala

An alleged security lapse surfaced after an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter carrying President Droupadi Murmu to Sabarimala got its wheels stuck in wet concrete at a swiftly built temporary helipad inside an indoor stadium complex near here, prompting officials to push the chopper out.

The incident in Pramadam, Pathanamthitta, occurred shortly after the president alighted, even as the state's top police official denied any compromise to the security protocol.

According to reports, the helicopter landed at the temporary helipad constructed inside the indoor stadium complex at Pramadam, where the concrete surface had not completely dried.

The wheels reportedly sank into the wet concrete soon after President Murmu alighted from the aircraft.

Following the incident, President Murmu continued her journey to Pamba — the foothills of Sabarimala — by road.

Bizarre scenes unfolded at the stadium after the president left for Pamba by road, as viral videos show officials pushing the Indian Air Force’s Mi-17 chopper by hand from a caved-in helipad, sparking widespread criticism and reactions on social media.

Kerala Director General of Police (DGP) Ravada A. Chandrasekhar clarified there was no security lapse and stated that the helicopter landed approximately five feet from the designated landing spot, which was still wet, according to a local media report.

Indo-Asian News Service