Indian Air Force conducts rescue operation as unprecedented rainfall floods in southern India
by Komal KashyapIndian Air Force deployed a Medium Lift Helicopter (MLH) and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts in response to the Thoothukudi floods.
The incident took place at Tirunelveli district on December 19.
Visuals showed people stranded in a flood-hit area were being airlifted to safety by helicopters. The helicopters carefully lifted individuals who were stuck in the floodwaters and transported them to a secure location. The dramatic scene involved the helicopters hovering over the affected area, with individuals being hoisted up to escape the danger below.
With unprecedented rains causing extensive flooding in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts, the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force (IAF), Coast Guard, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been pressed into action to carry out rescue and relief operations.
The Indian Navy has deployed ground and aerial rescue teams to assist the flood relief operations by the local administration. A total of 6 helicopters (3- by IAF, 3 by ICG- Indian Coast Guard); 17 rescue teams (Army – 2; ICG-7, NDRF 8), and one ship by ICG with rescue and relief material were deployed in relief operations for south TN floods.
The current situation in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi is nightmarish for lakhs of residents. The Indian Navy dropped relief materials for people in the flood-hit areas on Monday and airlifted them as well.
The Navy personnel rescued 42 persons, including three pregnant women in Tirunelveli. An Indian Navy chopper reached to rescue a pregnant woman who was trapped on the rooftop of her house.
The Indian Army has rescued more than 200 persons, including pregnant women and infants.
The rescue efforts by the Defence forces and the civil administration will continue on Tuesday as well. The relief materials will be distributed to flood-hit districts of Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Tenkasi, and Kanyakumari.
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