Relief and rescue operations have gathered pace with the defence forces lending a helping hand in the flood affected Ratnagiri and Raigad districts of Maharashtra.<br />'' <br />'' According to an official statement, 500 people have been rescued from the worst affected Chiplun region and rehabilitated in four relief camps. 22 others have been rescued from a bus in Kolhapur that was stuck due to floods on Panhala Road. In addition, two thousand people living in Mahad have been shifted to safer locations. Besides, rescue operations continue in the Khed region where about eight families are feared to be trapped due to landslide.<br />'' <br />'' Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force has informed that it had deployed a Mi-17 helicopter to carry out reconnaissance and rescued two people. An NDRF team of 10 personnel with approximately one ton load was also flown in by IAF to Ratnagiri. The Indian Air Force has positioned two Mi-17V5s and two Mi-17s for flood relief operations. The Western Naval Command too has mobilised five flood rescue teams for Chiplun and two for Mahad to assist the state government.<br />