Army relief convoy on way to Pokhra; IAF steps up operations

New Delhi, April 30: The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army have pushed their relief operations in the quake-hit Nepal to greater heights in the last 24 hours.

The IAF, which has flown in many of its assets to Nepal so far airlifting over 3,200 persons, flying a total of close to 50 fixed wing sorties and lifting around 320 tonnes of relief material and equipment.
As reported earlier, the C-17 Globemaster III, IL-76, C-130J Super Hercules and AN-32 having been operating on a war-footing since April 25.

IAF Spokesperson Wing Commander Rochelle D'Silva said that a C-130J aircraft successfully landed at an extremely short airstrip at Pokhra on April 29. "They were carrying six tonnes of food and water," Rochelle said.

She said a C-130J with 55 tents and 1630 blankets and another C-130J with 14 tonnes of water, food and medicines was sent to Kathmandu.

"Two AN-32s with 2.5 tonnes of food and water were sent to Pokhra. 14 passengers were evacuated by C-130J to Delhi. One IL-76 with 28 tonnes of water was sent to Nepal. 15 passengers and 7 mortal remains were evacuated by the IL-76," she added.

The eight Medium Lift Helicopters (MLHs) positioned at different parts of Nepal, conducted over 40 sorties along on April 29.

The IAF is undertaking rescue and relief operations in close coordination with various agencies in Nepal, especially the Nepalese Army.

Army doctors working round-the-clock

The Indian Army, on the other hand, began penetrating its rescue mission into areas that were cut-off from relief operations so far.

Army officials said that the Army Aviation helicopters have reached out to far-flung areas delivering relief material.

Army doctors have been working round-the-clock attending the needy. "Some doctors have not even slept for the past two days," an official said.

An Army relief convoy is also moving by road towards Pokhara to step-up the relief operations.

"A vehicle convoy from Kanpur is reaching Pokhara with 5,000 blankets, 500 tents, 50 tarpaulins and 800 plastic sheets. Another team has moved by road from New Delhi to Pokhara with 7.2 tonnes of relief stores," an Army spokesperson said.

The Army has established three Field Hospitals so far with two at Lagaankhel and one at Senamangal. In addition, two medical teams are being located at Barpak.

AOL mobilizes more than 8000 volunteers

The Art of Living (AOL) has intensified its relief efforts in Nepal as well with many volunteers from across the globe partaking in the rehabilitation process.

The AOL has been encouraging volunteers from across the globe to come forward and contribute towards the cause of Nepal. So far over 8000 volunteers have been mobilized by the AOL.

The AOL said that blood donation camps are currently underway at the Bir Hospital. The AOL-Nepal Center and Nepal Music School in Kathmandu have opened its premise for shelter-seekers.

An Art of Living faculty in Birgung has also opened his doors for shelter-seekers.

"Our team was the first to reach Kaavre district with the help of the Army and the police. At the Balaju devastation site, the rescue team was stranded for lack of petrol. The volunteers took out fuel from their motorbikes and provided to the rescue operators and they could continue after that," says Santosh Sharma, member of AOL Nepal.

OneIndia News