Navy, IAF rush to provide relief assistance in flood-hit Maharashtra
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New Delhi, July 24: With massive flooding taking place in Chiplun, Khed and Raigad of Maharashtra, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force have rushed to assistance in flood relief operations.
On 22 July, at around 1:30 pm, the IAF received a message for requirement of flood relief operations in these areas. When the weather permitted, a Mi-17 IV helicopter got airborne from Mumbai for Ratnagiri at 3:40 pm and landed at Ratnagiri at 5 pm. However, bad weather did not permit any further operations in the evening.
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Operations have resumed on Friday with the helicopter deployed at Ratnagiri along with another one flown in from Mumbai. An NDRF team of 10 personnel with approximately one-ton load has also been flown in by IAF to Ratnagiri.
A helicopter from Ratnagiri got airborne at 11:35 am, carried out reconnaissance and rescued two people before landing back at Ratnagiri. The IAF is also positioning two Mi-17V5s and two Mi-17s for flood relief operations. Another helicopter is standing by at Pune for any emergent requirement.
On the other hand, Indian Navy mobilises rescue teams for flood relief and evacuation in Maharashtra. After Maharashtra government requested, the Western Naval Command had mobilised Flood Rescue Teams and Helicopters to provide assistance to the State Administration.
Despite adverse weather conditions and widespread inundation in affected areas, a total of seven naval rescue teams departed by road for deployment to the Ratnagiri and Raigarh districts on Thursday from Mumbai. "Airlift of marooned personnel from Raigarh district is also being undertaken. One Seaking 42C Helo from INS Shikra, Mumbai departed for Rescue at Poladpur/Raigad during early morning hours on 23 Jul 21," the Indian Navy said.
The naval flood rescue teams are fully self-sustained and equipped with Gemini rubber boats, loud hailers, first aid kits, life jackets and life buoys. These rescue teams also include specialist Naval Divers and diving equipment. Additional Flood Rescue Teams are being maintained on a high degree of readiness at Mumbai, for immediate deployment, should the need arise.