April 24, 2024 23:13 (IST)
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Nepal quake: IAF, Indian Army continue relief operations
New Delhi/Kathmandu, Apr 28 (IBNS): Even as the death toll crossed over 5000 in Nepal following the devastating earthquake, India on Tuesday continued with its relief operation in the Himalayan nation.
Stepping up efforts to help Nepal which was struck by severe earthquakes, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is providing relief to the people in distress in Nepal.
"Since 25 April 2015, the IAF has airlifted a total of 2865 persons, flying a total of 36 fixed wing sorties by C-17 Globemaster III, IL-76, C130J Super Hercules and AN-32 aircraft landing a total of 238.5 tonnes of relief material and equipment," an IAF statement said.
A total of eight IAF Medium Lift Helicopters (MLH) are positioned in Nepal out of which six are at Kathmandu and two at Pokhra which are doing extensive rescue and relief operations.
A total of 250 casualties have been evacuated by the helicopters providing 25 tonnes of relief material, 100 people have been inducted (medial and engineering team along with the Nepalese Army) and 350 evacuated to safer places.
It would be pertinent to note that transport and helicopter aircraft are being utilised extensively for Human Assistance Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
The Indian Air Force, after proving its mettle in bringing succor to scores of people after Yemen evacuation this month, Jammu & Kashmir in September last year, has once again risen to the occasion and added a pioneering chapter in Disaster Relief by bringing relief to stranded people and evacuate them from earthquake hit areas in Nepal. The Indian Air Force reaffirms its commitment towards Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operations in support of the nation.
Meanwhile, the Indian Army(IA) on Tuesday intensified its efforts and is operating in syngery with other agencies and stakeholders such as IAF and NDRF under guidance of the Govt of India.
It has been able to reach to far flung areas like Barpak, which is also the epicenter of the earthquake and is currently in the process of providing succor to the people in this area with an emphasis on saving precious lives.
IA’s Everest Expedition team has done yeoman service and as per last reports received, rescued 19 mountaineers of other nations.
On Saturday, when the avalanche struck, most of the Army Everest Team was at Khumbu ice fall and training and acclimatizing for the expedition. The expedition leader Maj RS Jamwal effectively coordinated the rescue efforts.
Gorkha soldiers of the IA have been sent to various parts of Nepal to ascertain the requirements in remote places.
An Army Help desk has been established at Communications Centre, Sena Bhawan, New Delhi (01123011161).
The death toll from Saturday's devastating earthquake could reach 10,000 as rescue and relief operations are going on war footing in the devastated country, officials said.
"The death toll could go up to 10,000 because information from remote villages hit by the earthquake is yet to come in," media reports quoted Prime Minister Sushil Koirala as saying.
"The government is doing all it can for rescue and relief on a war footing," he added. "It is a challenge and a very difficult hour for Nepal," he said.
The Himalayan nation was hit by a fresh tremor measuring 4.5 on the Richter Scale on Tuesday.
The epicentre of the quake, which is located at latitude 28 degree north and latitude 85.4 degree east, hit the country at 4:50 hrs IST.
Thousands of people are still camped outside in Nepal's capital Kathmandu, huddled under makeshift tents. Food, water and fuel are running scarce.
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