Four containers of relief materials sent by the shipping fraternity from Tuticorin at the initiative of the Ministry of Shipping arrived at ICTT Vallarpadam on Monday. They were delivered for distribution.
Coastal crude vessel Swarna Godavari , with 50,000 tonnes of crude from Mumbai, diverted by BPCL to the Cochin Port to meet the fuel demand in Kerala, had also arrived.
More relief materials from across the country have started arriving at the port via coastal shipping. Naval ship INS Deepak carrying relief materials from Mumbai had arrived here on Sunday with around 800 tonnes of fresh water and 18 tonnes of provisions. The ship will make another call at the Cochin Port with relief materials on Wednesday.
The Port Trust has earmarked two berths for priority berthing of vessels bringing relief materials. Two godowns have been spared for storage of relief materials and medicines free of charge. Transworld Group has offered special coastal services by ships connecting ports at Hazira, Mundra, Kattupalli, Tuticorin, Pipavav, and Kandla with Kochi for transporting relief materials.
Relief materials collected by all major ports under the Ministry of Shipping are being consolidated at VOC Port Trust, Tuticorin, and are expected to reach Kochi on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The relief camp for flood-affected people run by the Port Trust at Sir Robert Bristow Memorial School, Willingdon Island, has 15 persons from Koonamavu, 11 from Kothad, five from Alappuzha, and 19 from areas near Kochi.
Doctors at the Port Trust Hospital examined the camp inmates provided medicines to them. Volunteer teams comprising staff and family members of the Cochin Port, Customs, and CISF and a medical team from the Port Trust Hospital are extending necessary support.
