IAF carries out flood relief operations

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 28 (UNI) The Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out extensive flood relief operations yesterday and today from its Southern Air Command base at Air Force Station Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu.

The IAF swung into action as soon as the weather momentarily cleared yesterday with a AN-32 aircraft and a Mi-8 helicopter, carrying relief materials, arriving from Sulur Air Base, a release said here today.

The first sortie was carried out in the evening hours yesterday bringing succour to the needy and stranded. Three AN-32 aircraft and an equal number of Mi-8 helicopters were pressed into action from this morning.

Experienced IAF helicopter pilots flew 12 sorties dropping more than 15,000 kg of relief materials comprising bread, biscuits, chocolates and drinking water.

The missions were carried out over flood-affected areas of Papnasam, Mulanguri, Melatur, Pandalenur and other villages around Thanjavur.

Representatives of local administration were on board the helicopters.

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