Indian copters rescue 203 people from quake-hit areas in Nepal

KATHMANDU: Indian helicopters today carried out back to back sorties totalling 23 hours of flying as they evacuated 203 stranded people after the devastating earthquake in Nepal that has claimed over 2,000 lives.

India has currently deployed four MI-17 VG and 2 MI-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force besides a few of the Indian Army.

In support of the Nepalese Army, IAF helicopters carried out 37 sorties totalling 23 hours and evacuated 203 people, defence sources in New Delhi said.

They said the helicopters dropped in about 3.7 tonnes of relief material.

In all, India has deployed over two dozen aircraft and choppers along with nearly 1,000 trained personnel.

India has deployed 13 military aircraft, three civilian aircraft of Air India and Jet Airways, six Mi-17 helicopters, two Advanced Light Helicopters while two more Mi-17 choppers are kept in standby.

Ten tonnes of blankets, 50 tonnes of water, 22 tonnes of food items and two tonnes of medicines have been flown to Kathmandu.

Three army field hospitals and engineering task force and medical units of civilian doctors have also been sent to Nepal.

The 7.9-magnitude temblor that hit Nepal yesterday left a trail of devastation and suffering, claiming over 2,000 lives.