Navy readies to help rain-battered Mumbai

In view of the incessant rains lashing the city since last evening, the Indian Navy is ready to render assistance required to tackle the situation.
"The Headquarters, Western Naval Command has prepared to render assistance to the coastal states in general and Mumbaikars in particular," a Defence spokesperson said in a statement this evening.
"The Indian Navy is prepared to render relief and aid to the civil authorities and to meet any contingency arriving out of the monsoon, both onshore and off-shore. The flood rescue teams with boats have been positioned at various locations within Mumbai. Specialised diving teams are based at Naval Dockyard (Mumbai).

"Fast interceptor crafts and Immediate Support Vessels provide Search and Rescue (SAR) cover within Mumbai Harbour. Helicopters, including multi-engine all weather, Seaking helicopters, are in readiness at INS Shikra and ships have been deployed off Mumbai coast for SAR," the spokesperson said.
"The Joint Operation Centre (JOC), Mumbai operating under the Headquarter, Western Naval Command also operates a Disaster Control Center and coordinates Naval SAR effort. JOC works in close liaison with Disaster Management Unit of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and State Disaster Management Authority, at Mantralaya (Secretariat) through direct hotlines. The Indian Navy will respond to any requirement projected by the MCGM or State Government," he added.