Navy committed to continue relief operations, says vice admiral Satish Soni

Flag Officer Commanding-in-chief of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Vice Admiral Satish Soni on Saturday asserted that the Navy is committed to the relief operations across flood-hit Tamil Nadu adding that the city is returning to normalcy at a very fast rate.

"Navy is committed to relief operations. The Navy is very proud of its association with the city of Chennai and I have assured the civilian administration that we will do whatever we can and we will have more disaster relief material. I would like you to advertise and let the people know that the ships are here and we have also issued helpline through which people can contact us," Soni said at a press briefing here.

"Our helicopters are doing aerial surveys constantly. The helpline number is 25394240,"he added.

Admiral Soni also lauded the state government for coordinating efforts which has helped in relief operations.

"State Government is doing outstanding job of coordinating all efforts of various people. The city is returning back to normalcy at a very fast rate," he said.

"INS Shakti has been loaded with relief material and 700 tonnes of drinking water. Arakkonam is being used as an aircraft coordination airfield. Over 100 sorties in and out of Arakkonam have already taken place," he added.