Army joins rescue work in flood-hit areas of AP, Karnataka

New Delhi, Oct 3 (PTI) Around 700 troops along with eight
medical teams have been deployed by the Indian army to carry
out relief and rescue operations in the flood-affected
districts of the southern states of Andhra Pradesh and
Karnataka.

"We have deployed eight columns along with medical teams
and adequate rescue equipment and materials in Kurnool and
Mehboobnagar districts in Andhra Pradesh and at Bijapur in
Karnataka since yesterday to help the civil administration in
relief and rescue operations," army officials said here.

The local administration had sought Defence Ministry's
assistance in relief operations after the flood situation
worsened, they said.

The Indian Air Force is also carrying out relief
operations in the affected areas. Six helicopters swung into
action Friday evacuating people and dropping relief material,
mainly food packets.

Till Friday night, the IAF (Indian Air Force) had rescued
44 people, including 12 from Bellary district in Karnataka.
PTI