Type of assistance during floods as road rips (8)

I believe the answer is:

airdrops

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'type of assistance during floods' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't tell whether it can be defined by this definition.

'road rips' is the wordplay.
'road rips' anagrams to 'AIRDROPS'.
Though, I'm unsure how the anagram is indicated.

'as' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.

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