#OpNistar ends successfully: Naval Ship Sunayana enters Porbandar after evacuating 38 Indians from cyclone hit Socotra Island
Porbandar, June 7: Indian Naval Ship Sunayana entered Porbandar harbor on Thursday after successfully evacuating 38 Indian Nationals from cyclone Mekenu hit Socotra Island. With the safe disembarkations of 38 Indian, the operation NISTAR also comes to an end.
In a statement, the Indian Navy said, “Indian Naval Ship Sunayana entered Porbandar harbour at 0900 hrs today on 07 Jun 2018 after successfully evacuating 38 Indian Nationals at/ off Socotra Islands during a swift Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Operation (HADR), code named Operation NISTAR.”
Upon entering harbour INS Sunayna was received by Rear Admiral Sanjay Roye, Flag Officer Commanding Gujarat, Daman and Diu Naval Area. After initial briefing about the scheduled disembarkation formalities, all 38 Indian nationals were put through mandatory customs clearance and immigration checks. They were served light refreshments. Post completion of all the administrative formalities, they were handed over to the civil police to facilitate their return to native places.
On 24 May, a severe cyclonic storm named ‘Mekenu’ crossed the Yemeni Island of Socotra, leaving 38 Indians stranded on the island with the limited food and water. Also, three Indian dhows at Socotra suffered damages/ sank alongside in the harbour and another Dhow, MSV Safina Al Khijar with 12 Indians onboard were reported to be missing.
However, after receiving a distress call from the DG shipping and the Indian Sailing Vessels Association, the Indian Navy launched a high voltage rescue operation to rescue stranded Indians. Based on this information, the Indian Navy immediately deployed INS Sunayna in Western Arabian Sea for the humanitarian and disaster relief operation.
The operation, code name 'NISTAR', was carried out on June 3 off the coast of Socotra. The evacuated Indians were immediately embarked onboard and immediately provided with medical care, food, water and telephone facilities to call and reassure their families at home.