Indian army continues relief work in Nepal

Eight days after a massive earthquake jolted Nepal wreaking havoc and claiming more than 7,000 lives, the Indian Army -- among the first international rescuers on the scene -- continued to provide assistance to the affected population.

Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) of the Indian Army's aviation corps conducted 12 sorties on Saturday and evacuated 13 casualties apart from delivering 5.3 tonnes of relief material to inaccessible areas, a statement issued here on Sunday said.

This was being done in "close coordination and cooperation" with the Nepal army.

"The field hospitals, medical teams and the triage centre at the Tribhuvan International Airport treated 182 patients on the same day... Today (Sunday), one IL 76 with 4.6 tonnes of essential medicines and medical stores, including oxygen tanks, for replenishing the Indian army field hospitals and medical teams is being sent to Kathmandu," the statement said.

The three Indian army Engineer Task Forces (ETFs) -- which are presently located at Barpak in Gorkha district, and Basantpur and Nikoshera in the Kathmandu valley -- are involved in providing access and opening of roads to establish communication and have cleared approximately 1,270 metres track and constructed another 100 metres of track.

The ETFs have cleared approximately 80 cubic metres of debris as well, it said.