India sends ships with relief material to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka

The cyclone Roanu has wreaked havoc along the coastal region of the country, so far 43 people died

India on Friday rushed two Naval ships with relief material to Sri Lanka that has been severely hit by tropical cyclone Roanu.

Navy officials said two Naval ships, one Naval Off Shore Patro Vessell (NOPV) INS Sunayna and one survey vessel INS Sutlej, are being sent to Colombo coast from Southern Naval Command in Kochi.

"INS Sutlej with relief material has already embarked on its journey to Colombo harbour from Southern Naval Command in Kochi. INS Sunayana will leave for Sri Lanka from the Kochi coast shortly," a Navy spokesman said.

The cyclone has wreaked havoc along the Sri Lankan coast. 43 people have been killed and 133 were missing following massive landslides and floods in the Kegalle region.

Schools throughout the country have been closed as a precaution.

Heavy rainfall is expected in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha as the storm will move away from Sri Lanka, tracking northeastward into Bangladesh and Myanmar.