IAF flies to Kodagu's rescue

Lending a helping hand to victims in rain-ravaged Kodagu, the Indian Air Force (IAF), on Wednesday morning, airlifted over 5,000 kg of relief material from the Air Force Station Yelahanka, to Mysuru.

From Mysuru, the relief materials will be flown to Kodagu for distribution among flood victims.

Responding to a request by the Karnataka government for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, the IAF deployed two Mi-17 helicopters to carry out recce and rescue operations across Kodagu district.

According to an IAF communication issued by the IAF Training Command HQ in Yelahanka, Bengaluru, a total of seven transport aircraft including An-32 have been pressed into service to carry relief materials to various rehabilitation centres both in Kodagu and Kerala.

Over 20,000 kg of relief load, 207 personnel, 40 doctors and specialists have been airlifted since August 18.

Besides, an additional 9,000 kg of relief materials were transported on Tuesday to flood-affected areas.

The IAF, also positioned a Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT) comprising 36 medics and paramedics carrying 8,500 kg of medical load, in key areas, to control critical health hazards that are expected post-flood.

IAF officers are coordinating with the Karnataka National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team in their relief operations.