Armed forces lead rescue efforts, help neighbours

The Air Chief said late last night that 20-30 fixed wing aircraft were on stand-by for deployment to the Andamans, though the IAF is now reworking its rescue strategy. Questions were raised yesterday on whether Port Blair could accommodate so many aircraft, or have the infrastructure to receive 30 aircraft in succession. The floods destroyed two IAF choppers on Car Nicobar while two others were damaged.

With the entire Naval fleet on stand-by, there is an immediate likelihood of more ships being pressed into service.

Assistance to Sri Lanka (code-named Operation Rainbow) included Dornier aircraft sorties with medical supplies, apart from four Naval ships sent to Trincomalee and Galle ports. The first of three Western Naval Command vessels despatched to the Maldives will be reaching the island at 8 am tomorrow.

Coast Guard vessel Durgabai Deshmukh provided assistance at Kollam in Kerala today, while two choppers are in Chennai. Three Coast Guard ships in Port Blair have been sent to Campbell Bay. Several ships are now off the coast of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Orissa.