Even as relief efforts continue in Sri Lanka, the Indian Air Force has simultaneously pressed in domestic support operations. A C-17 aircraft of the Indian Air Force today airlifted NDRF teams and equipment from Pune and Vadodara to Chennai, enabling rapid deployment of over 300 NDRF personnel and around 35 tonnes of essential gear.
The Indian Air Force helicopters also undertook a hybrid rescue mission to extricate stranded passengers from a restricted zone. A Garud commando was winched down to guide the group through cross-country route to a pre-briefed helipad at Kotmale, from where 24 passengers including Indians, foreign nationals and Sri Lankans were evacuated to Colombo. In a parallel effort, three critical injureds were airlifted to Colombo for immediate medical attention.
Earlier, five teams of Sri Lankan Army personnel (40 troops) were airlifted from Diyathalawa Army Camp to the landslide-affected Kotmale region to support relief operations.
