With flood situation in the western districts of West Bengal continuing to remain grim, the West Midnapore district administration today sought the assistance of Indian Air Force for rescue operations.
An Indian Air Force Mi17 V5 helicopter has been sent from the Barrackpore air force station, a Defence spokesperson said.
"The helicopter has reached the flood-affected area for carrying out rescue of stranded civilians and operation is in progress," the spokesperson said.
At least 16 people have lost their lives while nearly 20 lakh were marooned in over 160 villages, which were inundated due to heavy rains and the water released by Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC).
Several areas in West Midnapore, Howrah, Bankura and West Burdwan districts of the state have been inundated by incessant rains for the past several days and release of water by DVC from its barrages owing to heavy precipitation in upper catchment areas in Jharkhand.
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