ARMY AIR FORCE FLOOD RELIEF OPERATIONS IN BIHAR AND ASSAM

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The Defence Forces are continuing the relief and rescue Operations in the flood hit areas of Bihar and Assam.

ARMY

BIHAR

Four columns of Army are operating in the flood hit areas of Bihar State. The district-wise relief and rescue operations include the following :

Madhubani District : One Army column with eight boats has been providing aid in the district since 25 July 2002. The column is now operating in Samiya, Mehnatpur and Paswantala. Till date 54 personnel have been evacuated, Medical aid provide to 71 personnel and 218 quintals of ration distributed.

Gopalganj Districts : One Army column with eight boats is providing aid in Gopalganj since 27 Jul 2002. So far 155 personnel have been evacuated, Medical aid provided to 300 personnel and 20 quintals of ration and 2500 food packets distributed.

Samastipur District : One Army column with eight boats is providing aid in the district since 31 July 2002. The column is operating in Kalyanpur and Kariam since 31 Jul 2002. So far Medical aid provided to 100 personnel and 720 food packets distributed.

Darbhanga District : One column is operating in the district with effect from 01 Aug 2002.

ASSAM

Five columns of Army were in operation. Two have since been de-requisitioned. District-wise relief and rescue operation include following :

Morigaon District : One Army column in Morigaon town derequisitioned on 30 Jul 2002. One column is providing aid in Loharighat since 23 July 2002. 6380 villagers and 400 live stock have been evacuated and medical aid has been provided to 2310 personnel.

Kamrup District : One Army column is operating in the district and providing aid to people in Rangioya, Goreshwar and Kamalpur since 24 July 2002. 278 civilians have been evacuated and 139 quintals of ration has been distributed by the troops.

Goalpara District : One column is providing aid in the district since 28 Jul 2002. The column is now operating in Lakhipur and Agia since 29 Jul 2002. Medical aid has been provided to 400 personnel and 1000 food packets have been distributed till date.

Dhubri District : Column has been de-requisitioned on 28 Jul 2002.

AIR FORCE

A flood Relief Operations Cell at Darbangha, under the aegis of Central Air Command, Allahabad was set up. Four Mi-8 helicopters from Air Force Station Gorakhpur were pressed into service for the conduct of flood relief operations in the affected districts of Madhubani, Siotamarhi, Darbangha and Muzzarpur. The four affected districts were divided into four sectors for effective conduct of operations.

Indian Air Force in close liaison with the state administration, carried out a number of sorties in the remotest corner of the affected areas thereby bringing immediate succour to the marooned fellow countrymen. The situation was brought under control by 28 Jul 2002, When IAF flew a total of 78 sorties involving 57:00 hrs of flying effort in which 140 tons of food packets were dropped by helicopters of the IAF.

On 30 Jul 2002, yet another request was received from the Govt. of the state of Bihar for flood relief operations in Samastipur area. Once again, four Mi-8 helicopters from AF Station Gorakhpur were pressed into service and deployed at Darbangha. These helicopters are being used to rescue marooned villagers and drop essential supplies in Samastipur District. Till date, 106 sorties involving 76 : 00 hrs airlifting 157 tons and 48 marooned villagers have been executed by these helicopters.

In addition, three sorties have been undertaken by IL-76 aircraft of IAF to airlift 14 tons of food packets, eight boats and 170 personnel of the Indian Army, from Sarsawa and New Delhi to the flood affected areas.