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Kerala Floods: Navy deploys 18 more teams, readying 25 more

Southern Naval Command had deployed a total of 58 rescue and diving teams with Gemini boats in multiple location but seeing the worsening situation, 18 more teams have been pressed into service.

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Army personnel evacuate residents at Aluva in Ernakulam on Friday
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As the flood situation continued to remain appalling all across Kerala, Indian Navy deployed 18 more teams at various locations on Friday to augment the rescue operations in the state. Southern Naval Command had deployed a total of 58 rescue and diving teams with Gemini boats in multiple location but seeing the worsening situation, 18 more teams have been pressed into service. Navy is also readying 25 more rescue teams with boats for deployment on request of state government with fresh incessant rain alerts.

On Friday, a total 310 people have been rescued by the boats and 176 by aircraft. "Till date, more than 3,000 people have been rescued by the Southern Naval Command and continuous efforts are on to bring the flood affected people to safety and also provide them essential relief supplies such as food and water," said a Navy statement.

Air rescue has been carried out at various places of the three badly affected districts; namely, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Pathanamthitta. Various aircraft including ALH, Sea King, Chetak and MI 17 (of IAF) were able to rescue more than 176 people till now. Food was airdropped on the roof tops of various houses and churches till now. A total of 50 air sorties amounting to 80 hours have been flown.

During the air sorties, it was found that Sajita Jabil, a 25 year old pregnant lady, had developed complications and she was immediately evacuated from Aluva by air to INHS Sanjivani, where she later gave birth to a male child.

Both baby and mother are stable at the naval hospital. A naval medical team has also been airlifted to Aluva as there is a report of collapse of a building.

Some 500 rescued people have been accommodated inside the naval base, a make-shift relief camp, before shifting them to a relief camp at Fort Kochi. The Aluva rescue camp is catering to its maximum capacity of 151 persons.

"As all the assets of the Navy have been committed to this operation, other Commands have provided additional disaster relief items comprising 1000 raincoats, 1300 gum boots, 264 lifebuoys and 1000 life jackets," said Indian Navy.

Further it stated that 37 teams with one Gemini boat each are deployed in Ernakulam district at various places. One team each is at Pizhala Island and Edapally and three at Perumbavur. North Paravur has the most number of teams deployed – 16, while 12 are at Aluva and four at Muvattupuzha.

In the Thrissur district, the deployment at Chalakkudy has also been augmented to nine teams, while in Pathanamthitta district, four teams are deployed at Chengannur, and one team each at Ayroor and Pollad. One team is positioned at Kottayam.

Meanwhile, five naval teams with five Gemini boats which were deployed at different places in Wayanad district on August 9, are continuing to remain there for relief operations till the situation improves.

In addition, all air assets available at INS Garuda have been extensively utilised for winching up stranded personnel, transfer of stores, boats and relief material.

Meanwhile, INS Venduruthy had set up a community kitchen at Cochin University of Science and Technology to cater for 3000 people. The kitchen is fully operational and has commenced providing hot meals for the affected population.

Naval Stations

All air assets of INS Garuda have been extensively utilised for winching up stranded people, transfer of stores, boats and relief material. 
INS Venduruthy had set up a community kitchen at CUSAT to cater for 3000 people.

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