Navy rescues 500 in flood-hit Kerala

Kochi, Aug 17: The Indian Navy rescued nearly 500 people on Friday, continuing with its massive rescue and relief operations in flood-ravaged Kerala where monsoon rains have left a trail of death and destruction across the state. On Friday, 58 rescue teams were deployed at multiple locations as part of “Operation Madad” launched nine days ago.

According to officials it is unprecedented in the history of rescue operations by the Navy as the flood situation continued to remain grim all across the southern state. More than 3,000 people have been rescued since floods hit Kerala 10 days ago, an official spokesperson said.

Efforts continued to bring the flood affected people to safety and also provide them essential supplies such as food and water, the spokesperson said.

The Southern Naval Command on Friday deployed a total of 58 rescue and diving teams with Gemini boats while 18 more teams were sent to various locations to augment the rescue effort.The spokesperson said 19 teams of rescuers came from the Eastern Naval Command and Western Naval Command.

“Some 500 rescued people have been accommodated at the T2 hangar inside the naval base, a make-shift relief camp, before shifting them to a relief camp at Fort Kochi. (On Friday), 310 people were rescued by the boats and 176 by aircraft,” the spokesperson said. (IANS)