Chinook Helicopter Transporting An Excavator To Uttarakhand? Here’s The Truth.

A photo of an excavator allegedly being transported to Uttarakhand, after the recent cloudburst incident, by a helicopter went viral on social media. Sharing the image users wrote, “A JCB machine was delivered to #Dharali in Uttarakhand by a Chinook helicopter because roads were closed. This delivery likely aimed to assist with road clearance or other infrastructure work in the area, which was inaccessible by ground due to the closure.”

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However, as we investigated, we learned that the claim was false. The viral image is edited. Here’s the fact check.

Fact Check 

Conducting a relevant keyword search we learned that the Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed Chinook heavy-lift helicopters to carry out relief and rescue operations in disaster-hit areas of Uttarkashi district, following a severe cloudburst and mudslide that left several people stranded near Dharasu. However, we found no report stating that the excavators have been transported to Uttarakhand by the Chinook helicopters.

Moving forward, a reverse image search led us to a report published in Z News on 6 May 2022 that contained a similar image to the viral one. But, in this image, the helicopter can be seen carrying a canon, not an excavator.

Similar images can be seen here and here.

Further investigation led us to a report published in the Hindustan Times on 5 August 2025 that contained an image of the place similar to the one shown in the viral image. According to the report, the place is the Dharali market area after the flash floods.

Please read here.

A comparison between the viral image and the original images can be seen below. This makes it clear that the viral image has been edited.

Moreover, the Uttarakhand Police on their social media handles refuted the viral claim. They mentioned the viral image was fake.

Conclusion 

From our investigation, we can say that the claim is false. The viral image of an excavator being transported by a Chinook helicopter is edited.