Indian Air Force acts as ‘Guardian Angels,’ delivers relief supplies to flood-hit areas in southern India
by Aditi VermaIn a swift and commendable operation, the Indian Air Force emerged as ‘guardian angels’ for the residents of southern India’s Andhra Pradesh, by delivering essential relief supplies to the flood-affected areas.
The incident took place at Vijayawada in the Krishna district on September 4.
Visuals showed in a flooded area of Vijayawada an Indian Air Force helicopter hovered steadily above a partially submerged house, its rotors whipping up waves on the floodwaters below. The crew onboard carefully lowered relief supplies onto the rooftop, where anxious residents waited. On the surrounding rooftops and balconies of neighboring houses, people stood huddled together, waving and calling out, their faces a mix of hope and anticipation. The floodwaters stretched out in every direction, with only the tops of trees and roofs visible, creating a striking contrast between the chaos of nature and the order of the rescue operation.
The flood-affected parts of Vijayawada remained submerged on Wednesday for the fourth consecutive day. Officials have continued the rescue and relief operations. The water level in the Prakasam Barrage is gradually receding, reducing the risk of flooding in the downstream villages. However, the ordeal is far from over for the residents of the inundated areas within the city.
Heavy rainfall and the rising water level of the Budameru River have left dozens of colonies submerged. Although the intensity of the flood in the river has diminished, the floodwaters are still not receding from the affected areas.
More than 270,000 people in Vijayawada have been impacted by the floods. Thousands have been moved to relief camps. Authorities are delivering food and other relief supplies via helicopters and drones. Boats and vehicles are also being used to distribute food and drinking water packets to the affected areas.
Officials reported that 20 people have lost their lives in the state due to the flooding so far. Twelve deaths occurred in the NTR district, seven in the Guntur district, and one in the Palnadu district. Over 644,000 people have been affected by the heavy rains and floods. More than 42,000 people have been relocated to 193 relief camps.
In the NTR district alone, 276,000 people have been affected by the heavy rains and floods. Officials have set up 77 relief camps and relocated 14,160 people. In Krishna district, 237,000 people have been affected, and more than 9,000 people have been relocated to 37 relief camps.
To aid in rescue and relief operations in the flood-affected districts, 26 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), 22 teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and two teams of the Navy have been deployed. In Vijayawada alone, a total of 21 NDRF teams, 12 SDRF teams, and two Navy teams have been deployed.
According to the Disaster Management Department, four helicopters of the Indian Air Force and two helicopters of the Navy are delivering food supplies and airlifting people stranded in flood-affected areas.
Helicopters have been used to airlift 21 people from flood-affected areas and deliver essential supplies like food, water, milk, and medical kits. A total of 228 boats (174 motorized and 54 non-motorized) were arranged for evacuating people from the flooded areas.
Along with the boats, 315 active swimmers were engaged in the rescue operations. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu continues to stay in Vijayawada to oversee the rescue and relief operations. Ministers Kollu Ravindra and Vijayawada MP Kesineni Srinivas (Nani) inspected the distribution of food and drinking water packets on Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, the water flow in the Prakasam Barrage on the Krishna River in Vijayawada has decreased. Officials have lowered the warning level from two to one. The water flow at the barrage has reduced to 434,000 cusecs, alleviating the flood threat to the downstream villages.