Visakhapatnam: After the devastation caused by extremely severe cyclone Fani, Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of Indian Navy has launched massive rescue and rehabilitation operations in Odisha.
Two Maritime Recce sorties were undertaken by the Dornier aircraft of the Navy revealing widespread destruction localised around the temple town of Puri.
ENC flag officer commanding-in-chief Vice Admiral Karambir Singh participated in aerial survey of the cyclone-affected area on Saturday and visited INS Chilka to review the relief efforts. Based on the aerial survey, the ENC has undertaken three-pronged rescue and rehabilitation efforts around Puri and its suburbs in coordination with local administration.
He made an urgent disaster assessment and on-site review post cyclone at INS Chilka, a naval establishment at Puri. He took an on ground stock of the situation and damage to the assets, men and material during his approximately one-hour long visit to the location. He expressed confidence that the Naval Base would make an early come back to normalcy in next few days.
Mr Singh also hoped that the Indian Navy’s efforts in providing assistance would augment the efforts of other government agencies to bring solace to the affected people of Odisha.
He shared that naval ships were already at sea off Puri to render any humanitarian and disaster relief assistance, as necessary.
Relief and rehabilitation items including food material, essential medical supplies and clothes have been sent to INS Chilka.
A community kitchen was also planned to be set up.
Simultaneously, three eastern fleet ships are under rescue and rehabilitation efforts from the sea. The IN ships Ranvijay, Kadmatt and Airavat with three helicopters are operating off Puri and coordinating aerial survey and immediate response from sea through their integral helicopters.
As the first responders, helicopters from the ships have been able to provide immediate support. In order to coordinate the relief efforts, the ENC has pre-positioned liaison teams in cyclone-affected areas around Puri, who in turn are directing the rescue and relief efforts being undertaken by the ships.
With the opening of the Bhubaneshwar airport on Saturday, Chetak and UH3H helicopters are being positioned there by the Navy to launch rescue efforts and air-dropping of relief material to the inaccessible and remote areas.
Meanwhile, Indian Coast Guard is operating five ships and two helicopters along with 34 disaster relief teams into relief operations in cyclone-affected areas along the coast of Odisha and West Bengal. Its helicopters are operating close to coast off Gopapur and Paradip to assess the damage post landfall of cyclone.
Three Coast Guard dorniers have reached Bhubaneshwar.
