New Delhi: Defence Minister A K Antony has
asked the Indian Air Force to provide full support to Orissa
government`s requirement for deployment of choppers in flood
relief operations in the state.
"The Defence Minister asked the Indian Air Force to
provide full support to the state government`s requirement for
helicopters to provide relief to the affected people," Defence
Ministry officials said here.
The IAF has already deployed seven Mi-17 choppers along
with Navy`s Seaking and Cheetah helicopters for the relief
operations, they said.
However, due to heavy rains and inclement weather, only
two of the seven Mi-17 choppers could takeoff today. The
relief work will continue tomorrow.
With the flood situation in northern Orissa worsening,
the state government today intensified air-dropping of food
packets as 3003 villages remained marooned, while the death
toll climbed to 11.
More than 2,000 villages had been inundated overnight,
said Orissa Revenue and Disaster Management Minister S N
Patro, adding the death toll mounted to 11 after five more
persons were swept away in flood waters.
PTI
