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IAF airdrops food to marooned villagers in Sikkim

By A Correspondent

GANGTOK, July 25 - An MI-17 helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) made three sorties today, airdropping food and other essentials for the marooned people of Sakyong and Pentong villages in North Sikkim.

The two villages have been cut off from the rest of the district since July 10 owing to multiple landslides and washing away of bridges due to continuous rainfall.

As many as 100 bags of rice weighing 50 quintals, 550 litres of cooking oil, 1.5 quintals of salt, 100 packets of candles and matches, and medicines were dropped by the chopper.

The helicopter could not land at Pentong as the landing zone was found to be non-conducive and the consignments were airdropped on the Sakyong school playground.

The rations for Pentong village will be sent from Sakyong by a manual ropeway. The operation started at 9 am and ended at 11.30 am, an official source said.

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