S'pore extends 4 Chinook helicopters to help after Hurricane Harvey devastates Houston, Texas

PM Lee spoke on the phone with U.S. President Donald Trump, who accepted our offer of aid.

Sulaiman Daud | August 30, 2017, 12:57 PM

The American city of Houston, Texas has been struck by Hurricane Harvey.

Not only are the residents at risk from the hurricane itself, floods caused by the excessive rainfall have devastated communities.

For context, the metal structure in the distance is a highway road sign. The highway itself has been completely flooded.

When a disaster of this scale hits, emergency services are taxed to the limit as calls come in from residents trapped in their homes, at danger of the rising waters. The Texas National Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard and other emergency services have been hard at work responding to these cries for help.

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A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Aug. 29, Tuesday that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had called President Trump to express his concerns and sympathies for the damage wrought by the storm.

PM Lee also offered Singapore’s assistance in disaster relief efforts by deploying the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) CH-47 Chinook helicopters from its detachment in Grand Prairie, Texas. Trump thanked PM Lee and accepted the offer.

In a statement on Aug. 30, a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said it would deploy four helicopters to assist with the relief efforts. The helicopters will be able to airlift troops and evacuees, as well as transport supplies to affected areas. They are expected to commence relief operations today.

 

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Top image via MINDEF

(H/T: TodayOnline)