Four naval ships, six aircraft on standby at Vizag

With severe cyclone 'Hudhud' set to strike the east coast of India, four naval ships and six aircraft of Indian Navy's Eastern Naval Command are on standby for rescue and relief operations.

Four naval ships are on standby to proceed to the most affected areas to undertake humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR), evacuation, logistic support including providing medical aid, said the Eastern Naval Command headquartered at Visakhapatnam, also known as Vizag.

These ships embarked with additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats, integral helicopters and relief material including food, tents, clothes, medicines and blankets.

'Hudhud' in Bay of Bengal is likely to hit the coast around Visakhapatnam on Sunday.

Six aircraft are also on standby by at the Naval Air Station INS Dega to undertake reconnaissance, rescue, casualty evacuation and air drop of relief material to the stranded. Additionally, 30 diving teams and four platoons with additional relief material are ready to be pressed into action at short notice.

The Eastern Naval Command is monitoring the developments closely and is in constant communication with the Andhra Pradesh state administration to augment the rescue and relief operations.