Operation Madad – Indian Navy’s ‘Madad’ to Kerala
On August 9, Indian Navy’s Southern Naval command (SNc) at Kochi launched Operation ‘Madad’ for assisting state government. In the flood where Kerala lost around 450 people, Indian Navy was one of the first responders.
On August 9, Indian Navy’s Southern Naval Command (SNC) at Kochi launched Operation ‘Madad’ for assisting state government. In the flood where Kerala lost around 450 people, Indian Navy was one of the first responders. Rohit Srivastava
WhEN ThE DISASTER STRUcK the ‘God’s own country’ Kerala in the second week of August, the state government in this moment of distress and disaster called the centre for help. Responding to the call, Government of India sent out armed forces and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to help the state machinery. Going beyond their call of duty and risking their life and stretching the equipment to their operational limits, working round the clock ignoring exhaustion, Indian men and women in uniform performed as if they were god sent saviour of Kerala, winning heart of all and sundry along the way.
In the flood where Kerala lost around 450 people, Indian Navy was one of the first responders. It all began when on August 8 many parts of the state received over 1,000 mm of rain which forced the authorities to open floodgates of over 30 dams in the state. The massive flow of water in the rivers coupled with the massive downpour led to rivers breaking their banks and ravaging everything which came in its way. Nothing could stop rivers on the rampage. Such was the flow of water even small rivulet became harbingers of death and destruction.
On August 9, Indian Navy’s Southern Naval command (SNc) at Kochi launched Operation ‘Madad’ for assisting state government. It was running two relief camps with community kitchen for 3,000 people at Aluva and Kochi. Over 1,50,000 food packets and around 50,000 kg of relief material has been distributed by the Navy to the stranded and needy. INhS Sanjivini, the hospital ship of Indian Navy was in the standby for medical help at Kochi. In addition, Navy’s support ship INS Deepak delivered 900 tonnes of fresh water at Kochi. Similarly, on August 20 INS Mysore reached Kerala from Mumbai carrying emergency kits, food, water and life jack- ets. Indian Navy has deployed its Sea King, Dornier, Dhruv and chetak helicopters.
Naval personnel’s stupendous and selfless acts have a buzzed the social media. Not for the first time, Indian Navy has done similar work during other natural calamities as well. On August 17, Indian Navy chopper piloted by cdr Vijay Verma 321Flight airlifted a pregnant lady and evacuated her to the Navy’s hospital ship INhS Sanjivini, which has been deployed as part of the rescue and relief operation, where she delivered a baby. Amidst much gloom and despair, Navy brought happiness to the family and to everyone who saw the act on the social media.