Eastern Naval Command poised to swing into relief operations along coast

Visakhapatnam: As cyclone Phethai cyclone formed over South West Bay of Bengal is poised to make landfall near Kakinada, the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) is ready to render necessary humanitarian assistance. Naval aircraft have flown 11 sorties along the east coast over the last two days to broadcast warnings to the fishermen at sea of the impending cyclone and advise them to return to nearest the harbour for shelter.

Additionally, naval ships at sea have also been warning the fishermen to return to harbour. Indian Naval ships are standing by to render Humanitarian Assistance and Distress Relief (HADR), evacuation, logistics support, including providing medical aid.

Additional medical teams, divers, inflatable rubber boats and relief material that include food, tents, clothes, medicines, blankets in sufficient quantities have been kept standby. Diving teams with inflatable Gemini boats and associated diving equipment have been kept ready for immediate deployment for relief and rescue operations.

The ENC is monitoring the developments closely and is in constant communication with the State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMA) to augment the rescue and relief operations. Aircraft are standing by at the Naval Air Stations INS Dega and INS Rajali to undertake reconnaissance, rescue, casualty evacuation and air drop of relief material to the stranded as required.

Fishermen from Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu coasts have been advised not to venture into sea view deteriorating weather condition in the area with winds gusting over 100 kmph, very high swell conditions and widespread rainfall.