Indian Military

[PIB] Rescue and relief operations at Leh received a major boost today with the arrival of six plane loads of men and material augmented by the Armed Forces from Delhi and Chandigarh. Two Ilyushin- 76 and four Antonov-32 aircraft of Indian Air Force landed at the cleaned- up Leh Airport with 29 tons of loads which include 125 rescue and relief personnel of NDRF, medicines, generators, tents, portable x-ray machines and emergency rescue kits etc. Two teams from Health and Family Welfare Ministry consisting of specialist doctors and surgeons from Delhi also reached Leh. As of today, 110 bodies have been recovered from mudslides and flood waters by the rescue teams. From HQ Western Command, Chandigarh 4000 meals ready to eat packets have been sent to Leh district administration for distributation among the affected civilians. 95 villagers of Hanoyogma near Handen Brooke whose houses have been swept away were provided food and shelter by the nearby army post. One MI-17 Helicopter has been carriying out relief operations from Thoise in Sultan Chusu in Nubra Vally since yesterday and two more Chetak Helicopters have been provided to civill administaration for aerial recce of affected areas.

33 columns of Army personnel alongwith Jawans of Indo-Tibetan Border Police have been deployed in the affected areas to carry out relief and rescue operations. So far more than 500 injured civilians and tourists have been treated at the military hospital at Leh and about 100 persons discharged after treatment. As a special gesture, Indian Air Force has agreed to carry bodies of foreign tourists and non- locals to Delhi by air if no civilian flights are available from Leh. The tri- service Disaster Management Coordination Group which met at South Block this morning further reviewed the progress in rescue and relief operations and decided to earmark special service aircraft to carry 19 VSATs and a set of other equipment of BSNL to Leh so that mobile and telecom connectivity could be restored at Leh and its adjoining areas at the earliest. In the mean time two INMARSATs have been provided to Leh district administaration for meeting immediate communication requirements.

The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony , who is closely following the rescue and relief efforts, was briefed by the Tri-service Disaster Management Group about the steps being taken to provide succour to the affected victims in Leh.

Sitanshu Kar/DM/DP