The Navy and the Coast Guard intensified the Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations on Saturday in Odisha hit by Cyclone Fani. With the opening of the Bhubaneswar airport, the IAF deployed aircraft and helicopters to ferry the material to the affected areas.
“Two maritime recce sorties were undertaken by Dornier aircraft revealing widespread destruction localised around the temple town of Puri,” the Navy said in a statement. V Adm Karambir Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) based in Visakhapatnam, undertook an aerial survey of the area with the first light on the day.
Based on the survey, the ENC is undertaking a three-pronged rescue and rehabilitation effort around Puri and its suburbs in coordination with the State government and the district administration. The relief package comprising food material, essential medical supplies, clothing items, disinfectants, repair material, chain saws for removing damaged trees, torches and batteries, etc. had been sent to INS Chilka in Odisha, closest to Puri, the Navy said.
Three ships, INS Ranvijay, Kadmatt and Airavat, with three helicopters are presently operating off Puri and coordinating aerial survey and immediate response from sea. “For coordination, the ENC has pre-positioned the liaison teams around Puri, which are directing the efforts being undertaken by the ships,” the Navy added.
The IAF has launched three C-130J transport aircraft to Bhubaneswar. In addition, one IAF Mi-17 helicopter from the Guwahati airbase landed in Bhubaneswar. The IAF said the aircraft would carry approximately 45 tonnes of relief material including emergency equipment and medicines. “The aircraft were positioned at the Hindan air base outside Delhi for a short notice take off waiting for the restoration of landing facilities at the affected airfields,” the IAF said.
