Even
as Indian Navy’s search and rescue(SAR) operations are in full swing for the
fifth day on 04 Dec 17, the Navy Day, over Southeast Arabian Sea and L& M
islands in the aftermath of Very Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘OCKHI’. Eight naval
ships, including frontline ships from Western Naval Command INS Chennai,
Kolkata and Trikand, were deployed for rendering assistance to the affected
islands. In addition, all aircraft at the disposal of Southern Naval Command,
including long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft P8I of Eastern Naval
Command, were deployed throughout the day.
Disaster Relief
material was disembarked at Minicoy on 03 Dec and at Kavaratti and Kalpeni on
04 Dec by Indian Naval Ships Sharda and Chennai. A total of 4 tonnes of
disaster relief material including dry provisions(rice, dal, salt, dehydrated
potato and onion), water, blankets, raincoats, disposable clothes, mosquito
nets and dhurries has been handed over to the local administration by INS
Dweeprakshak and Naval Detachment Minicoy. Disaster relief material of dry
provisions and ready to eat meals are also being dispatched to Bitra lsland by
Indian Naval Helicopter from INS Dweeprakshak at Kavaratti. The naval personnel
of Naval Detachment Minicoy are assisting the local populace and administration
in clearing the road and distributing food and rations to the local populace.
INS Kolkata
rescued nine persons from FV(Fishing Vessel) Island Queen 70 miles off Bitra
Island. The boat was reported missing since 15 days. The crew were found to be
in satisfactory condition and their request for food, water and seamanship
items was immediately met by the ship. Based on their request, the boat was
escorted for 2 hours into fair weather. All the fishermen were found to be
hailing from Thoppampadi, Kochi.
A naval Sea King helicopter from Kochi was deployed at
Kavaratti island. The helicopter is being extensively used to transfer men,
material between the islands. In the meantime INS Kalpeni brought back eleven
Kerala fishermen rescued by INS Jamuna and INS Nireekshak to Kochi.
INS
Shardul has disembarked all HADR material at Minicoy. The ship is equipped with
Diving team and naval helicopter for carrying out additional SAR operations.
The relief material would last for 2000 people for seven days.
INS
Trikand on completion of search and rescue efforts in the assigned area is
proceeding to Bitra Island with HADR material. The ship is expected to reach
the island by morning of 05 Dec. The relief material carried would meet the
necessities of islanders till situation improves.
All
LAM islands are under the cover of Indian Naval ships and aircraft with rescue
and relief operations in full swing. The lndian Navy is determined to bring
back normalcy to the L&M islands most expeditiously. The swift and timely
actions of Indian Navy has saved 148 lives at sea, which includes the 11
fishermen picked up by the Indian Naval ships Jamuna, Nireekshak and
Sagardhwani earlier send brought ashore by INS Kalpenion 04 Dec, besides
providing material support to more than 5000 citizens affected by the unique Very
Severe Cyclonic Storm over Southeast Arabian sea and L&M Islands.
All other ships at the disposal of Indian Navy would continue the
Search and Rescue operations and provide relief till normalcy is restored. All
the SAR activities are being carried out in coordination with central agencies.
Koc/108/Dec 17
