Ch Sushil Rao

One C-17 aircraft of Indian Air Force got airborne at 2 am on April 24th from Hindan Air Base for Changi International Airport, Singapore. The aircraft arrived at Singapore at 7.45 am. After loading 4 empty cryogenic oxygen containers, it departed Singapore and is en route to Panagarh air base for offloading of these containers, IAF informed about its on-going operations.

The IAF carried out sorties from various parts of the country to airlift oxygen containers, cylinders, essential medicines, equipment required for setting up and sustaining COVID hospitals and facilities in the fight against fresh surge in COVID-19 cases. From the Begumpet airport in Hyderabad, IAF aircraft airlifted oxygen tankers to Odisha to bring in supplies to Telangana. Health minister Eatala Rajendar and Chief secretary Somesh Kumar were present at the airport during the operation.  The IAF Transport aircraft and helicopters have been pressed into service for carrying out these tasks. These include transport aircraft C-17, C-130J, IL-76, An-32 and Avro. Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters are on standby.

It is a grief that families are unable to get over in Telangana. Their future too is bleak. More than one person, in some cases, two and even three have died due to Covid. The grief has become unbearable for the families. They stare at a bleak future now knowing how they themselves will survive with their earning family members have passed away.  The deaths are also taking place within a matter of days of people testing positive for Covid19. Even if they show some signs of recovery in the hospitals, the next news conveyed to them is the death of their beloved one. And they are shattered.

The Indian Navy has despatched its  Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV)  to assist the Indonesian Navy in search and rescue efforts for its submarine KRINanggala which was reported missing. On April 21st, an alert was received by Indian Navy through International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office (ISMERLO), regarding the missing Indonesian submarine. The submarine was reportedly exercising in a location 25 miles North of Bali. India is amongst the few countries in the world capable of undertaking Search and Rescue of a disabled submarine through a DSRV.

Covid is haunting families. In Jagtial district in Telangana, three of a family died due to Covid. Six members of the family in Jagtial town had tested positive for the virus.On April 21st,  a 33-year-old man Suman died while his elder brother Sunil, 35, died five days ago. A week ago, their A 55-year-old father Ramachandram succumbed after he tested positive. The other members of the family are in hospital.

The Indian Naval Ship Suvarna, while on surveillance patrol in the Arabian Sea, encountered a fishing vessel with suspicious movements. To investigate the vessel, the ship’s team conducted boarding and search operation. This led to the seizure of more than 300 Kgs of narcotics substances worth Rs 3,000 cr in the international market. 

Chief secretary Somesh Kumar informed this today.