Jammu and Kashmir floods: Indian carriers airlifted over 35,000 people

NEW DELHI: Indian carriers, including Air India, have so far airlifted over 35,000 stranded passengers and flown 114 tonnes of relief materials to the flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir.

While Air India permanently stationed two aircraft to fly out stranded people and patients free of cost from Srinagar and Leh, private airlines and non-scheduled and charter operators too mounted additional flights to evacuate affected people, an official release said.

Till date 35,014 passengers have been lifted by airlines, it said.

While four helicopters were deployed by state-run Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited, five more were kept in readiness to meet emergent situations, the release said.

Air India also flew several sorties between Jammu, Srinagar and Leh to carry security and paramilitary personnel, besides flying inflatable boats from the United States to the J and K capital to help relief and rehabilitation measures.

The Civil Aviation Ministry and PSU staffers have contributed a day's salary to Prime Ministers Relief Fund, with the contribution of Airports Authority of India being Rs 3 crore.

Other airport operators and airlines have been advised to request their staff to contribute one day's salary, the release added.