Leh rescue: Army, airforce work relentlessly to provide succour
By IANSMonday, August 16, 2010
NEW DELHI/LEH - As people in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir battle to put together their lives ravaged by the Aug 6 flash floods, the Indian armed forces have been working tirelessly to provide succour to the people, officials and residents said.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has undertaken 226 sorties to airlift over 300 tonnes of relief material and equipment and flown nearly 820 people to safer places till Monday.
The Indian Army has been carrying out major rescue operations in Ladakh region, where the cloudburst and flash floods killed some 180 people.
On Sunday, the IAF flew an IL-76 transport aircraft, two Cheetah and one MI-17 helicopters to carry 26 tonnes relief material and rescue 20 people, an official said here.
“So far the air force has undertaken 226 sorties, airlifting over 302 tonnes relief materials and equipment and flying 818 passengers,” the official said.
At least 18 columns (nearly 2,000 personnel) of the army continue to render rescue and relief operations on the ground providing food and shelter to the affected civilians.
The army’s construction wing, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), has restored 12 of the 21 bridges washed away in the flash floods.
“Work to lay bridges in Khalsi and Batalik of Kargil sector and Biamah and Chaluka in Turtuk is progressing fast,” the official told IANS.
Following fresh flash floods in Tawi river Aug 12, two Engineer Task Forces have been deployed in Bhagwati Nagar, Belicharna and Gandu Chak of Jammu region at the call of the Jammu and Kashmir government.
At least 13 army personnel are also among the dead. Twenty-two troops, three Junior Commissioned Officers, are still missing.
