IAF sorties in landslide hit Arunachal

Shillong, Aug 13: IAF helicopters have been pressed into action in the landslide hit areas of Arunachal Pradesh for assitance missions, especially to air drop food supplies.

Several areas of East Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh were completely cut-off from the mainland due to disruption in road communication following landslides because of incessant rains in the region.

Arunachal Pradesh government requisitioned IAF helicopters to supply emergency rations from Seppa to areas where people were facing critical shortage of food supplies, an IAF communique from the Eastern Air Command here said.

Though the helicopters were in stand-by from August 6, they could not take-off due to inclement weather.

IAF helicopters from Eastern Air Command units in Tezpur, Guwahati, Kumbhigram and Mohanbari were activated and two Mi-17 helicopters were finally able to position at Seppa on August 11 and food supplies were air dropped at Chyangtajo, Bameng and Khanewa, the release said.

The relief operations are continuing in full swing and around 5 tonnes of supplies have been air lifted to the affected areas till yesterday.

Further sorties have also been planned and would continue till the crisis situation in the affected areas were overcome. More helicopters will be pressed into service, it added.

PTI