The rescue operations will begin immediately at daybreak,” Ms. Sitharaman said over phone from Delhi. A helicopter (MI 17 V5) that took off from the IAF Sulur air base near Coimbatore around 8.30 p.m. surveyed the site of the fires near Kurangani. “The rescue helicopters will start from Sulur early and will reach the spot at the first light of the day. First-aid equipment will be on board and once the situation is ascertained, necessary action will be taken,” she said. Private tea estates have also lent a supporting hand to the rescue operations.

Source: The Hindu March 11, 2018 19:52 UTC