Army, Navy, IAF join the rescue operations
MUMBAI: Following a request received from the Maharashtra government, the Western Naval Command has mobilised seven flood rescue teams and one Seaking 42C helicopter to assist the state administration in floodaffected areas in Konkan. The teams are currently in Ratnagiri and Raigad districts, as Chiplun and Khed in Ratnagiri district are the most affected areasfloodwater from Vasisthi river and the discharge of water from Koyana dam has submerged several areas.
Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force (IAF) was also informed of a flood relief operation in Chiplun and Khed town on Thursday. On Friday, a helicopter from Ratnagiri got airborne at 11:35am and rescued two persons before landing back at Ratnagiri. An NDRF team of 10 personnel was flown in by IAF to Ratnagiri. The IAF is also positioning two Mi-17v5s and two Mi-17s for flood relief operations. Another helicopter is at a stand-by in Pune for any emergent requirement, said a defence official. The Indian Army was also mobilised for flood relief. A total of 15 relief and rescue teams comprised troops from Aundh military station and Bombay Engineer Group, Pune, have been deployed overnight in affected areas of Ratnagiri, Kolhapur and Sangli. Lt General JS Nain, GOC-IN-C, (General Officer Commanding-in-chief) Southern Army said that the Indian Army stands with people in these testing times and all assistance will be provided by the Army in the affected areas.
Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray took stock of the flood situation in both the districts affected by heavy rain. After the review meeting, the chief minister’s office informed the Indian Navy to join the rescue and relief efforts in these two districts.
Despite adverse weather conditions and widespread inundation in affected areas, seven naval rescue teams departed by road from Mumbai for deployment in Ratnagiri and Raigad districts on Thursday evening. Marooned personnel are also being airlifted from Raigad. One Seaking 42C Helo from INS Shikra, Mumbai, departed for rescue at Poladpur in Raigad early Friday morning,” said chief public relations officer (CPRO) Commander Mehul Karnik of the Western Naval Command.