Exclusive: Four MI-17 helicopters continue airdropping relief; “150 tonnes of relief including 50k litre of water distributed,” IAF

In an exclusive interaction with Barak Bulletin, the Indian Air Force spokesperson informed that the IAF has deployed four Mi-17 Helicopters for air dropping relief material across flood affected Silchar. Around 200 IAF personnel and an equal number of civilians are running the operation.

Explaining how the IAF is choosing the drop areas, the spokesperson informed that the coordinates of the affected areas are being provided by the district administration. Explaining the process further, he said, “The circle inspector identifies the areas and we put them on a map and provide it to the pilots. We are identifying the flat roof surfaces across the Silchar region where relief material can be safely dropped.”

He further informed that the rescue operations will continue for the next few days and till now we have received 150 tonnes of relief items which includes around 50,000 litres of water bottles, rice, dry ration like chidwa, sugar etc. The operation which started from 22nd June is being carried out from morning 6 AM till 11 PM at night and will continue,” he informed.

As per the spokesperson, though some of the materials are getting carried away, maximum are being delivered safely and people are very happy. “We are happy and over achieving our targets as a good percentage of the relief item is reaching the people,” he said, adding “We urge the people not to put any loose objects like clothes etc on the roofs as it creates problems for airdrops. The roofs should be empty and clean,” he said.

On the question of a rumour that has spread regarding people needing to go up on roofs and wave a red cloth to get relief, the IAF Spokesperson said that it is false and is misunderstood. The IAF had requested the district administration to identify the weaker roof surfaces and mark them with a red cloth so that relief material won’t be dropped there. So when we see many people complaining about not getting relief even after waving the red flag seeing a chopper, please understand that the red flag is being understood by the IAF personnel as a signal not to drop anything there. General public needn’t go up on the roof and wave a red flag after seeing the chopper.

All the IAF personnel, the spokesperson informed, are assembled at Airport station in Kumbhirgram. The operation is been done by IAF in coordination with district administration.