The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) said that nine helicopters have been prepared and are on stand by for relief and rescue operations in the event of a disaster due to inclement weather.

Air Force Spokesman Group Captain Dushan Wijesinghe said that Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudharshana Pathirana has instructed the Air Force to deploy aircraft and related personnel in response to a request made by the Disaster Management Center for disaster relief and rescue operations.

The DMC has warned of possible floods and flash floods in several parts of the island in the next few days due to the low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal and the onset of the southwest monsoon. 

Accordingly, Beachcraft 200 aircraft have been prepared at China Bay Air Force Base and SLAF Base Ratmalana for aerial monitoring of disaster situations.

Also, a Bell 212 helicopter and two Bell 412 helicopters at Ratmalana Base, three Bell 212 helicopters at Hingurakgoda Air Force Base, a Bell 212 helicopter at Palali Base and two MI 17 at Anuradhapura SLAF Base have been prepared deployed for relief and rescue operations in the event of a disaster. 

The spokesman said that troops of the Special Task Force of the Air Force Regiment are currently preparing for rescue operations. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)