New Delhi, 28 August (H.S.): The Indian Air Force is playing a crucial role in relief and rescue operations in Nepal following the devastation caused by catastrophic flooding triggered by a massive portion of a glacier breaking off. Within just a few hours of the disaster, the Air Force transported 10 tonnes of essential relief supplies to Nepal aboard a C-130J aircraft, including medicines, temporary shelters, blankets and hygiene kits. Carrying the second consignment, a C-17 Globemaster aircraft of the Indian Air Force flew to Kathmandu with an additional 37.5 tonnes of relief material, including food packets and essential medicines. India has so far sent a total of 47.5 tonnes of relief material to Nepal.

The Air Force has kept its transport aircraft fleet on standby for relief operations following the flash floods in Nepal. The fleet includes C-17, C-130J and C-295 aircraft. Another C-130J transport aircraft will fly to Nepal with relief supplies by late evening today. Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopters are also operating round the clock to assist the people of Nepal. The aircraft carrying relief supplies to Nepal are being operated from the Air Force station at Hindon.

Air Commodore R. Dobhal, Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of the station, said, We are always prepared for such emergencies. Therefore, we immediately readied a C-130J Hercules aircraft. We loaded it with relief supplies, medicines and generators. With the assistance of civil authorities and the NDRF, the preparations were completed and the operation was launched. The aircraft took off at around 8:30 pm and landed in Nepal within two hours, delivering approximately 10 tonnes of supplies.

On the second flight, a C-17 aircraft carried 37.5 tonnes of humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief material, including medicines and food packets, to flood-ravaged Nepal.

He said the Air Force frequently conducts relief operations both within India and in neighbouring countries such as Nepal, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. An operation was also recently conducted in Venezuela. The Air Force is prepared to provide assistance anywhere in the world whenever required. If Nepal needs further assistance, we are fully prepared, he said. During the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, Air Force C-130 aircraft were among the first to land on the damaged runway, carrying relief teams and doctors. At that time, the Air Force conducted more than 2,200 sorties. The Air Force was placed on standby within just a few hours of the sudden floods that struck Nepal on August 26.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar