Airdropping of relief materials by air force helicopters suspended

Patna, Aug 23 (UNI) In view of the reports of receding trend of water, the airdropping of relief materials by Air Force helicopters was suspended in the flood hit areas of North Bihar.

Chief secretary of disaster management department Manoj Kumar Srivastav said here today that the airdropping was yesterday afternoon.

He said the assistance of Air Force was sought in view of the unprecedented flood that hit the state. Four helicopters were engaged in airdropping of the relief materail in the difficult areas where communication was totally snapped, he added.

Mr Srivastav said the airdropping, which was taken up on August 4, continued for 18 days during which 70,796 food packets were airdropped.

He said the distribution of relief materials was now being done through roadways and at some places by boats and motorboats.

Meanwhile,sources at the state headquarters said here that relief distribution work was under strict scanner and the distribution of food grains and other essential commodities among the flood victims were being monitored.

The sources said such step had been initiated by the state government to prevent any irregularity and to ensure that the relief matrials reaches in the right hands. Apart from officials in the state intelligence department, NGOs and local officials had been engaged in the monitoring.

UNI