New Delhi: An Indian Air Force (IAF) C-130 transport aircraft carrying relief and rescue supplies landed in Jammu on Wednesday to assist people affected by the landslide along the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine route near Adhkuwari, officials said.
The aircraft, loaded with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) equipment, took off from the Hindan Air Force Station in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, before reaching Jammu, a source confirmed.
In addition, helicopter units including Chinook and Mi-17 V5 have been placed on “active standby” at nearby air bases in Jammu, Udhampur, Srinagar, and Pathankot, ready to support ongoing operations, the source added.
Rescue efforts are still underway on the Vaishno Devi track at Adhkuwari, where a landslide on Tuesday claimed the lives of nine pilgrims and left 21 others injured.
Meanwhile, relentless rain for the fourth straight day has caused widespread flooding in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir, forcing the evacuation of thousands from low-lying areas.
