New Delhi: Two transport aircraft with 150 military personnel on board have left for relief and rescue operations in Sri Lanka where unseasonal rains have caused huge floods in South Central province taking a toll of more than 200 people.

An Army spokesman said the reporters in New Delhi, two IL-76 aircraft carrying teams of Army medical mobile units and Army engineers, carrying heavy bridging equipment, had left for Colombo from Secunderabad and Allahabad.

The medical team which was carying medicines, medical equipment would leave for the affected areas from Colombo by road.

An Indian Navy offshore patrol vessel has already reached the Southern Sri Lankan port of Galle and started rescue and relief operations.

A Naval spokesman said the vessel was carrying eight inflatable Dinghy's to carry out rescue missions.

The Indian help is in response to an SOS sent by the Sri Lankan government.

PTI