Two Chetak helicopters of the Indian Air Force got airborne at 0709h today for carrying out rescue operations at flood hit Edupalaya village in Medak district. The operation lasted for more than an hour wherein the Indian Air Force successfully airlifted 23 construction workers trapped on an island amidst strong currents and moved them to safer places. The helicopters landed back at 0851h after successful completion of the rescue despite inclement weather in the area. The operation was undertaken from Air Force Station Hakimpet in Hyderabad and was coordinated by Wg Cdr P Surendran, the Chief Operations Officer at Air Force Station Begumpet. Indian Air Force had been standing by for last two days and yesterday two attempts were made at rescuing the marooned workers, which did not fructify due to heavy rain and low clouds. However, with the persistent efforts of IAF, the mission was successfully accomplished today. IAF is further standing by to undertake rescue operations in view of forecast of more rain in the next couple of days.