The helicopters of the Indian Air Force have undertaken 24 sorties in their Chetak and Cheetah helicopters on relief and rescue mission in the flood-affected areas of Assam since Thursday. They have dropped nearly 4,000 kilograms of food packets.

According to an official release, with large number of affected people taking shelter in small patches of high ground with their cattle and livestock, it is a crucial challenge to ensure that relief packets don't get strewn or blown away into the water during such mercy missions. The release said, water levels are now receding and drop operations by helicopters have been put on hold. The pilots, however, are on standby to face any emergency situation including casualty evacuation.

Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will visit Assam tomorrow to take stock of the flood situation. Assam Chief Minister’s Press Secretary Abdul Khaleque said that Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson are expected to reach Jorhat by a special flight and conduct an aerial survey of Majuli Island and Dhakuakhana.

They will reach Guwahati from there before returning to Delhi. The Opposition Asom Gana Parishad has urged the Prime Minister to declare flood as a national calamity. A high delegation of BJP today visited the flood affected Dibrugarh, Barpeta and Lakhimpur districts to assess the situation.

Meanwhile, the overall flood situation improved today in the state as water in most of the rivers has started receding.