Eastern Naval Command readies ships, aircraft for cyclone Vardah relief efforts

In preparation for the relief efforts of very severe cyclone Vardah, the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) has assumed high degree of readiness to render necessary assistance.

The severe cycle lay 450 km approx East North East of Chennai and is likely to make landfall north of Chennai in the afternoon/evening of December 12.

All operational ships have been readied up and kept standby to undertake Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations including evacuation, should the situation demand.

These ships are embarked with additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats, integral helicopters and relief material that include food, tentage, clothes, medicines, blankets etc., in quantities sufficient to sustain over 5,000 personnel.

Additionally, thirty diving teams with Gemini boats and four platoons with additional relief material are ready to be pressed into action at short notice.

The ENC is closely monitoring the developments and Flag Officer Tamilnadu and Puducherry Naval Area (FOTNA) is in constant communication with the State Administration to augment rescue and relief operations.

Naval aircraft are also standing by at the Naval Air Stations Rajali and Dega to undertake reconnaissance, rescue, casualty evacuation and air drop of relief material to the stranded.