Chennai Floods: 40 passengers land at HAL airport in Bengaluru; Army adds more rescue teams

Bengaluru, Dec 05: The Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on Saturday joined the ongoing rescue and relief operations being undertaken by the armed forces.

The HAL airport saw the landing of an AN 32 carrying 40 passengers from Tambaram today. HAL Chairman and Managing Director T Suvarna Raju said the Company was happy to be part of such a noble mission.

"We have informed all the agencies involved with the relief operations that the HAL airport will be ready to undertake any missions," Raju told OneIndia.

HAL airport is not open for commercial operations since 2008 after the Kempegowda International Airport in Devanahalli became operational.

While HAL is keen to open it for commercial operations, especially for short-haul flights, the pact with KIA undertaken by various stakeholders has prevented it from going any further.

Currently, HAL airport is being used for military and test flights, chartered and VVIP operations only.

Army deploys additional forces from Bengaluru

In a related development, the Indian Army said that four medical teams are being deployed to deal with anticipated flood-related problems.

"Five additional rescue and relief teams from Bengaluru have been dispatched and will be deployed for rescue operations at Chennai by today evening," says an Army spokesperson.

He said the teams have successfully rescued over 7000 stranded people using boats and about 9,000 people have been rescued using vehicles.

Army has also distributed relief materials including water and food to over 20,000 people.
"In areas where the rescue operations have been brought under control, Army is assisting the civil administration with relief work in the form of medical assistance and supply of food," he says.

The Army rescue and relief teams have been operating in areas which are the worst hit by the floods including Tambaram, Pallikaranai, Kotturpuram, Pallavaram, Velacheri, Mannipakkam, Sidco Nagar, Perungudi and areas adjacent to the Adyar river.

OneIndia News