The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Tuesday successfully concluded its six-day humanitarian air operation in Nagaland after delivering 6.85 metric tonnes of essential relief materials and evacuating 64 stranded passengers from flood-affected areas of EAC Headquarters, Namsang, Tamlu Headquarters, and Longleng district.
The operation, carried out in support of the Government of Nagaland’s flood relief efforts, marked the final day of IAF deployment in the State.
The day’s mission began with two IAF helicopters transporting relief supplies to EAC Headquarters, Namsang. The first helicopter airlifted 1.80 metric tonnes, while the second carried 1.50 metric tonnes of essential commodities.
After completing the deliveries at Namsang, the first helicopter proceeded to Tamlu Headquarters to assess the feasibility of landing. Following a successful landing, it evacuated 22 stranded passengers to Dimapur Airport.
The second helicopter, after unloading relief materials at Namsang, returned to Mohanbari Airport in Assam after reaching its permissible flying hours for the day.
The first helicopter then undertook additional sorties from Dimapur. During its third sortie, it transported another 1.70 metric tonnes of relief supplies to Tamlu before evacuating 19 more stranded passengers to Dimapur.
In its fourth and final sortie, the helicopter delivered the remaining 1.85 metric tonnes of relief materials to Tamlu. With no stranded passengers left there, it proceeded to Longleng, where it evacuated 23 more people, including one child, and safely transported them to Dimapur.
During the day’s operations, the IAF airlifted 3.30 metric tonnes of relief materials to EAC Headquarters, Namsang and 3.55 metric tonnes to Tamlu Headquarters. This brought the total relief delivered on July 28 to 6.85 metric tonnes.
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Besides relief distribution, the helicopters evacuated 64 stranded passengers, including students and patients, from the affected areas.
With all essential relief materials earmarked for EAC Headquarters, Namsang and Tamlu Headquarters successfully delivered, the IAF formally concluded its deployment in support of the State Government’s flood relief operations.
Although the mission ended on July 28, the helicopters and personnel remained overnight at Dimapur because the final sortie was completed after 5 p.m. They are scheduled to return to their home base on July 29, marking the successful completion of the humanitarian mission.
Over the six-day operation, the Indian Air Force played a crucial role in ensuring uninterrupted delivery of relief supplies and the safe evacuation of stranded citizens from the flood-affected areas despite adverse weather conditions and difficult terrain.
The Government of Nagaland expressed profound gratitude to the Indian Air Force for its exemplary professionalism, unwavering commitment and timely humanitarian assistance, stating that the operation significantly strengthened the State’s disaster response and provided critical relief to affected communities.
