Kochi: The Southern Naval Command has deployed 40 rescue and diving teams with Gemini boats in multiple locations as of 5 pm on Thursday, the eighth day of #OperationMadad.
Twenty more teams were sent out to various locations on Thursday to augment those already deployed. More than 131 people were rescued on Thursday by air effort alone, while many more were rescued by boats. Rescued people were also provided food and shelter. “All the assets (boats) and divers at the disposal of SNC have been committed to this operation and more boats and divers have been requested from other commands,” said a Defence spokesperson.
Twenty 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. North Paravur has been augmented with five more teams, taking the total number deployed to seven. Eleven rescue teams are employed at Aluva. Two of these teams were able to rescue 25 police personnel at Okkal. Four teams are positioned at Muvattupuzha for rescue efforts urgently required there in light of the Periyar being in spate.
In the Thrissur district, a total of five teams were deployed at Chalakkudy. In Pathanamthitta district, three teams, one each at Ayroor, Pollad and Kozhen-cherry, are deployed. One team is at Kottayam. Five naval teams with five Gemini boats which were deployed at different places in Wayanad district are planned to be redeployed in light of the flood situation in that area having imp-roved.
Three districts namely, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Pathanamthitta were extensively covered by various aircraft including ALH, Sea King, Chetak and MI 17 (of IAF). “A make shift relief camp has been set up at the T2 Hangar inside the Naval Base and all persons rescued through air effort were provided with food, bed and other needs,” said the Defence spokesperson.
