IAF concludes operations in earthquake hit Nepal

The Indian Air Force has wound its relief and rescue operations in Nepal.

Ever since the devastating earthquake hit Nepal in April, the IAF mounted a mammoth humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission from 25 April to 4 June.

Within four hours of the earthquake that struck Nepal,  IAF swung into action and deployed  one C-130J aircraft, two C-17, one IL-76, heavy-lift aircraft, airlifting 295 National Disaster Relief Force personnel, 46.5 tonnes of load and five sniffer dogs to locate  those trapped under debris.

In addition it later deployed other aircraft like Medium Lift Helicopters, like Mi-17 V5 and Mi-17.

For over a month it airlifted water, field hospitals, blankets, tents, paramedics, stretchers, medicines, prepared food, milk, utensils, vegetables, ready to eat food water purification plants oxygen regenerators, Air Force communication centre vehicles, the Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT) with its transportable operation theatre, X-ray, laboratory and patient beds, etc.

Large scale relief and rescue operations were carried out by Mi-17 V5 and Mi-17 helicopters from detachments at Pokhara and Kathmandu.

These operations were carried out to far flung inaccessible areas at earthquake affected places that included Lukla, Dhading, Millanchi, Gorkha, Chautara, Charikot, Melum, Aroghat, Dhunche, Trishuli, Ramechhap, Barpak, Narayan Chor, Namchi Bazar, Tatopani, Lamabagar and other remote villages.

During the relief and rescue operations, a total of 1,677 sorties by various aircraft (including 1,569 by IAF helicopters) were carried ferrying 13,48,995 tonnes of load and evacuating 5,188 persons and 780 casualties.