Defence forces at forefront in rescue & relief operations

Srikakulam: Armed Forces have further stepped up their rescue and relief operations in cyclone ravaged areas of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha after making initial assessment of the ground situation.

Eight composite teams of Army have been deployed in Vishakhapatnam and another eight teams in Srikakulam.
Altogether 140 personnel have been rescued from Visakhapatnam district and 132 from Srikakulum district.

The IAF has pressed into service C-17, C130J, AN-32, IL-76, Mi-17 and Chetak aircraft and helicopters towards rescue and relief efforts. A total of 120 tonnes of supplies have been airlifted to Visakhapatnam from Vijayawada and Rajamundry. Items are being supplied at Naval airfield at Visakhapatnam. A total of 36 sorties have been conducted so far towards relief operations. Two road clearance teams of Army have been employed North of Srikakulum. Road between Achutapuram and Vizag has been cleared by the Armed Forces Teams.

Aerial survey has been conducted by C-130J of the IAF and P-8I of the Navy Satellite imagery has also been used to assess the impact. Coastal reconnaissance has also undertaken by the Indian Coast Guard. Priority is also being accorded to assistance and in restoration of essential supplies. Additional Engineer Units of the Army are being flown to Visakhapatnam. Four medical teams have been deployed in the region and in addition Naval hospital at Visakhapatnam and Army Hospital at Gopalpur have been kept on standby.

The Defence Crisis Management Group (DCMG), under the aegis of HQ Integrated Defence Staff, which met today to take stock of the situation in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh and decided to step up the relief efforts. To organise the relief efforts, called ‘Op LEHAR’, in a coordinated manner, the Armed Forces have set up Joint Operations Room in New Delhi.

Navy chief takes stock of relief operations
Navy Chief Admiral R K Dhowan Tuesday took stock of the relief work by the navy in the aftermath of cyclone Hudhud which hit Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam city and other coastal areas.

He said the navy would do its best to respond to the situation through the Eastern Naval Command, with the aim of not only attending to the needs of the naval base and personnel, but also the entire city of Visakhapatnam and its citizens.

Navy officials said over ten ships were ready to sail with relief material towards Visakhapatnam while four more ships have been kept ready for sailing at short notice for relief operations.

The officials also said 24 diving teams have been deployed in and around Visakhapatnam.

Damage assessment sorties were being carried out by long range maritime reconnaissance (LRMR) aircraft P8I and Dorniers. "The navy assets will be deployed on the basis of assessment," said an official.

The runway at the navy's airfield at Dega was made operational for flying last evening. Both runways at Dega had been flooded and damaged.

Efforts are also on to get the naval base at Visakhapatnam back to its operational status as soon as possible.