Indian Navy and Army prepared for Cyclone Vardah

As heavy rains and strong winds hit Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh ahead of cyclone Vardah making a landfall around 2pm, Indian Navy and Army have their teams on standby. 

The Indian Navy has stationed two ships, INS Shivalik and INS Kadmatt, around the north of Chennai to provide immediate assistance. Both the ships are equipped with adequate bricks of HADR material. The ships also have additional divers, doctors, food, water, blanket inflatable rubber boats, integral helicopters and other relief material in quantities sufficient to sustain over 5,000 people.

 “In preparation for the relief efforts of very severe cyclone Vardah, the Eastern Naval Command has assumed high degree of readiness to render necessary assistance. All operational ships have been readied and kept on standby to undertake humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations, including evacuation, should the situation demand,” said a statement from the Indian Navy.

Additionally, 30 diving teams with Gemini boats and four platoons with additional relief material have been pressed into action.

Cyclone Vardah’s severe cycle is around 450 km east-north-east of Chennai.

Besides the Indian Navy, the Army has put as many as seven columns on standby for rescue and relief operation.

(WION)