Cyclone Mekenu: Indians stranded on Yemeni island evacuated

The Indian Naval Ship, Sunayna, on Sunday helped successfully evacuate the 38 Indian nationals who were stranded on the Yemeni island of Socotra in the aftermath of cyclone Mekenu.

"All 38 have been reported to be safe. Post evacuation, the ship would be proceeding towards Porbandar to disembark the Indians ashore," the Indian Navy said in a statement.

A "very severe" Cyclone Mekunu crossed Socotra on May 24, leaving 38 Indians stranded on the island with limited food and water.

The cyclone led to flooding of Socotra's villages and capsized boats while disrupting all sorts of communication channels.

Sunayna, currently deployed for a mission-based deployment in the Gulf of Aden, was pressed into action to evacuate the 38 Indian nationals stranded on the Yemeni Island, as part of Operation NISTAR earlier in the day.

The evacuated Indians were brought onboard and immediately given medical care, food, water and telephone facilities to contact their families, the Indian Navy said.