RAWALPINDI:Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa would be visiting flood affected areas in Swat on Tuesday to get on ground update about evacuation and relief operations of stranded people in Kumrat, Kalam and surrounding areas.
The Army Aviation had conducted some 82 helicopter sorties in flood affected areas of the country for rescue and relief operation, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
Some 27 helicopter sorties were carried out to evacuate 316 stranded individuals and delivered 23.753 tonnes of ration and relief items in the past 24 hours.
Moreover, 3,540 ration packets and 250 tents were distributed among flood affectees during last 24 hours.
The Pakistan Army also established 51 Free Medical Camps in which 33,025 patients were treated.
It added that the Army Flood relief coordination center was functional under Headquarters Army Air Defence Command with a mandate to coordination rescue and relief efforts in synchronization with stakeholders at Army level.
Some 217 relief items collection points were established in all Formations Area of Responsibility for collection and onwards distribution of relief stores, where 122.87 tonnes food of (Atta, pulses, sugar etc.) 5.9 tonnes of sustenance items (tents, quilts, cloths etc.) and 0.15 tonnes medicines collected so far along with other sustenance items (clothes, solar lights, sleeping bags etc.).
It further mentioned that international flood relief assistance received so far included seven military aircraft from Turkey arrived at Karachi carrying relief goods. Also three military aircraft from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had arrived at Nur Khan Air Base Rawalpindi. However, two aircraft from China would reach Karachi (today) carrying 3,000 tents whereas tarpaulins and shelters from Japan would also reach Karachi on Tuesday.
Canada had announced US$ 5 million assistance whereas the UK government had pledged 1.5 million pounds, Azerbijan announced $2 million, it said.
The relief goods being brought through these aircraft included tentage, medicine and food items.