Lack of aviation fuel hampers chopper rescue effort: Official

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed 13 helicopters and four AN-32 aircraft for rescue and relief operations in flood-ravaged Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh but the delay by the district administrations in providing aviation fuel was hampering the operations, an official said.
A senior official involved in the operations told IANS that the delay in supplying aviation fuel was the "main hurdle" in the rescue operations, besides the inclement weather.
"Aviation fuel has to be provided by the district administration, but the persistent delay in doing so is hampering search and rescue operations," the official said Saturday, declining to be named.
The 13 helicopters - five Mi-8s and eight Chetaks - have carried out 17 sorties so far. In addition, four AN-32 aircraft have carried out 13 sorties, airlifting men and material provided by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) from Pune to the affected areas in the two states.
03/10/09 IANS/SamyLive

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Oct 2009