Adding its mite to the massive relief operations in Chennai, the Indian Navy has rushed to the southern metropolis its amphibious warship INS Airavat stocked with supplies from the Eastern Naval Headquarters here.
The warship is suited for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations and is carrying 20 divers and five Gemini boats, in addition to four landing craft and two boats that are part of the ship. The ship is expected to reach Chennai by Wednesday night or in the early hours of Thursday.
The Navy HADR is being coordinated by Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu, Puducherry Naval Area (TNNA) Rear Admiral Alok Bhatnagar, a spokesperson for the Eastern Naval Command said here.
The Navy has started a helpline (044-25394240) that is going to be operational round-the-clock, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are being launched for assessment of the situation, a Navy spokesperson from New Delhi stated in a release issued here.
The Navy deputed three flood relief teams to Chennai on Wednesday. One team comprising 20 sailors (five divers and 15 swimmers) with Gemini boats and associated gears that were deployed on Tuesday night returned during the early hours of Wednesday after rescuing 15 stranded persons.
A second team consisting of one officer, 16 sailors (four divers and 12 swimmers), two Geminis and 250 food packets distributed food and relief operations under the coordination of the Tamil Nadu Government. A third team from INS Rajali consisting of two officers, 50 sailors and 200 food packets was deployed on Wednesday for central flood relief operations.
