IAF airlifts NDRF personnel, relief material to Nepal

New Delhi: Indian Air Force’s C-130 J Super Hercules aircraft today took off from the Hindon airbase here carrying NDRF personnel and relief material to Nepal in the wake of the devastating earthquake that has hit the Himalayan country.

Defence sources said a C-17 Globemaster is being prepared for take off and will be carrying about 40-member strong Rapid Reaction Aero Medical Team and doctors besides relief material to the country after India assured Nepal of all help.

A 1L-76 transport aircraft will also take off soon with more National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) personnel on board.

https://twitter.com/SpokespersonMoD/status/591914362975170561

After dropping the NDRF team, C-130 J will perform aerial recce to check road communication to Pokhara and return to Hindon, defence ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar tweeted.

The defence ministry has already put Indian Army, BRO and IAF assets on standby for any task in view of the earthquake.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahesh Sharma said Air India and IndiGo flights are ready for departure to Kathmandu for rescuing the stranded Indians.

“Three Air India flights and some Indigo are ready to take off but the Air Traffic Control in Kathmandu is closed. Once the ATC resumes operations these aircraft will start flying there,” he told PTI.

When asked about international flights bound for Kathmandu being diverted to India, he said the flights are being diverted to Delhi and some other airports close to the Nepal capital.

Asked whether stranded Indians would be rescued via roads, he said that option would also explored.

PTI