IAF Deploys Aircraft, Choppers for Disaster Relief Operations as Floods Ravage North India
© AP Photo / Suhaimi Abdullah
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India's northern states, especially Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Punjab have witnessed record rains in the last few days, leaving vast swathes of land submerged under water.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed a wide variety of aircraft and helicopters for disaster relief operations in many states, including Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana as floods continue to ravage northern India.
Even the busiest road in the heart of the national capital Delhi, which connects several government offices to other parts of the metropolitan city, is currently knee-deep in water.
This happened after the water in the River Yamuna swelled to record levels, leaving many areas of the megapolis waterlogged.
Things deteriorated on Friday morning after a drain regulator stopped working, with Delhi State Chief Arvind Kejriwal appealing for the Indian Army's help to fix the issue.
Even the busiest road in the heart of the national capital Delhi, which connects several government offices to other parts of the metropolitan city, is currently knee-deep in water.
This happened after the water in the River Yamuna swelled to record levels, leaving many areas of the megapolis waterlogged.
Things deteriorated on Friday morning after a drain regulator stopped working, with Delhi State Chief Arvind Kejriwal appealing for the Indian Army's help to fix the issue.
On the other hand, all rivers in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh are in spate, causing wide-scale destruction. Nearly 100 people have died, while losses from the floods have been estimated at approximately $500 million by the state government.
Against this backdrop, the IAF has been assisting state governments in rescue missions and distributing relief material to flood-affected people.
The Indian Defense Ministry, through a statement, revealed that "in the last 48 hours (since Wednesday), a total of 40 sorties have been carried out," leading to the rescue of 126 people and the distribution of 17 metric tons of relief material in various areas.
Besides Himachal and Punjab, the statement stated, major relief and rescue operations were conducted in many flooded areas of Haryana state, where the IAF's M-17 helicopters transported food and other essential items.
Moreover, the IAF has kept C-130 Transport Aircraft and heavy-lift helicopters like the Chinook on standby mode as more rain is expected in these states in the coming days.
Against this backdrop, the IAF has been assisting state governments in rescue missions and distributing relief material to flood-affected people.
The Indian Defense Ministry, through a statement, revealed that "in the last 48 hours (since Wednesday), a total of 40 sorties have been carried out," leading to the rescue of 126 people and the distribution of 17 metric tons of relief material in various areas.
Besides Himachal and Punjab, the statement stated, major relief and rescue operations were conducted in many flooded areas of Haryana state, where the IAF's M-17 helicopters transported food and other essential items.
Moreover, the IAF has kept C-130 Transport Aircraft and heavy-lift helicopters like the Chinook on standby mode as more rain is expected in these states in the coming days.
