New Delhi: Several Army units and at least five Indian Air Force aircraft have been deployed for rescue and relief operations in the earthquake-hit areas of Sikkim. Thirty columns (nearly 3,000 Army personnel) from the 33 Crops based in Siliguri are involved in rescue operations in Sikkim.
Ten units of Army Engineers with road opening equipments have been sent from Siliguri and Binaguri to open the Siliguri-Gangtok road which has been blocked at four places following landslides after the 6.8 magnitude earthquake.
There have been substantial damage to Army buildings in the quake-hit areas and two Army personnel have been reportedly killed in North Sikkim. Two or three Army vehicles including one bus with Army personnel is reported to be missing.
A large number of civilians have been being accommodated in Army camps and cantonments areas in Gangtok, Darjeeling and Kalingpong.
Army medical teams have been sent to villages in forward areas to provide treatment to civilians.
The Army is also making arrangements to facilitate deployment of the National Disaster Management teams in the affected areas.
Two C-130J Hercules aircraft have been sent from Hindon to Bagdogra airbase, while two AN-32 aircraft along with another AVRO aircraft have been sent with medical supplies, rescue teams and equipments to help the earthquake victims.
An Indian Air Force spokesperson said that helicopters, if required, could be sent from Eastern Air Command areas for the relief operations.
With additional information from PTI
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