The army, navy and air force have joined the rescue and relief operations in flood-hit areas of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
The IAF has deployed 13 helicopters- five MI-8 and eight Chetaks in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. These aircraft have already carried out 17 sorties, a press release said.
In addition, four AN-32 aircraft have carried out 13 sorties airlifting men and material provided by National Disaster Management Authority from Pune to the affected areas in the two states.
One AN-32 transport aircraft carried relief for affected people in Kurnool from Arkullaum to Hyderabad, but had to be diverted to Karnataka as the road link to Kurnoool had been washed away in many places.
Relief material, boats and other equipment have now reached Kurnool. A large number of army jawans and boats scheduled to be moved from Bangalore to Bellary have been held up due to heavy rains in the West Coast, the press release said.
The Navy in Karwar and Goa have been providing relief operations in the affected areas in the West Coast of Karnataka.
The IAF is deploying an IL-76 transport aircraft from Bhubaneswar to Bangalore/Puttapurthy to transport 350 men and 50 boats to join in the search and relief missions.
An additional 100 men and 30 boats are also being pressed into service by a sortie from Pune to Hyderabad. Further, 270 persons and 30 boats will be airlifted from Bhatinda and Delhi to the affected areas as per decisions of the NDMA.
The Eastern Naval Command has been alerted to remain on standby for any eventuality in Vijaywada.
The Army has deployed 10 columns of its men in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. One column has been kept on standby in Goa. Out of the ten, 2 are in Kurnool, 3 in Mehboob Nagar, 2 in Vijaywada, 2 in Bhagalkot and one in Bijapura. They are with boats, medical team and engineer task force.
The Navy has deployed 12 diving teams with Gemini boats. Out of these 2 are at Vijaywada, 3 at Mehboob Nagar, 2 at Kannur, 3 at Gadag and 2 at Karwar. The Navy has rescued 130 people. 150 people stranded at Karwar base are being provided food and shelter, the press release said.
