Indian Navy personnel with a Gemini boat seen rescuing flood-affected people in Kerala.The Southern Fleet of the Indian Navy continued its rescue-and-relief mission, “Operation Madad”, for the ninth day in the flood-devastated Kerala. It has rescued over 3,000 people from the devastation so far.
Indian Air Force personnel seen rescuing an old woman in a Mi-17 copper in Kerala.“Continuous efforts are on to bring the flood-affected people to safety and provide them essential relief supplies, such as food and water,” a Navy official said, adding, “fifty-eight rescue and diving teams with Gemini boats have been deployed in various parts of Kerala.” The Navy official further said 19 diving and rescue teams with Gemini boats have been augmented by the Western Naval Command and Eastern Naval Command.
Some rescued people seen inside an IAF chopper.On Friday, 310 people were rescued by boats and 176 by aircraft. About 500 rescued people have been accommodated inside the Kochi naval base, before shifting them to a relief camp at Fort Kochi. Meanwhile, the rescue camp at Aluva is catering to 151 people. Relief material comprising 1,000 raincoats, 1,300 gum boots, 264 life buoys and 1,000 life jackets have been distributed by the Western Naval Command and Eastern Naval Command. Thirty-seven teams with one Gemini boat each are deployed in Ernakulam district at various places. One team is at Pizhala Island, one at Edapally and three at Perumbavur. Sixteen teams have been deployed at North Paravur, 12 at Aluva and four at Muvattupuzha. In Thrissur district, nine teams have been deployed at Chalakkudy, four teams at Chengannur and one team each at Ayroor and Pollad.
An IAF man seen winching a flood survivor in Kerala.Elaborating the deployment of rescue teams, the official said, “One team is positioned at Kottayam. Five naval teams with Gemini boats are at various places in Wayanad district continued with relief operations.” “In addition, all air assets available at INS Garuda have been extensively utilized for evacuating stranded personnel, transfer of store items, boats and relief material,” he added further. INS Venduruthy set up a community kitchen at Cochin University of Science and Technology to cater for 3,000 rescued people.
