Cyclone Idai: Another Indian Navy ship sails for Mozambique with relief material

INS Magar, an amphibious warfare vessel, has sailed for Port Beira in Mozambique from Mumbai with relief material for the cyclone-hit country, the Indian Navy said Thursday.

The ship is carrying 300 tons of supplies including essential medicines, food provisions, clothing, repair and rehabilitation equipment and temporary shelters.

It is also carrying a naval Chetak Light Utility helicopter which will be used in the ongoing relief operations, the Navy stated.

#OperationSahayata continues.

INS Magar departed for Mozambique with essential relief material for the cyclone ravaged areas. It is the 4th Indian Navy ship after INS Sujata, Shardul & Sarathi to augment the India’s ongoing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief efforts pic.twitter.com/jDooxx4BPy

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) March 28, 2019

After Cyclone 'Idai' hit Mozambique two weeks ago, the Indian Navy deployed its ships to carry out humanitarian and disaster relief activities.

INS Magar will be the fourth vessel after INS Sujata, Shardul and Sarathi of 1 Training Squadron to take part in the Navy's ongoing relief operation in Mozambique.

India's Chetak helicopter undertook several sorties to facilitate aerial survey by disaster management officials of Mozambique to rescue people in coordination with local authorities and for dropping food and water packets in the cyclone-affected areas.

Hundreds of thousands of people are in need of food, water and shelter after Cyclone Idai battered Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. 

According to government and United Nations officials, at least 713 people have been reported killed by the storm, the flooding it caused and heavy rains before it hit. 

In  Mozambique, Cyclone Idai landed on the night of March 14 near the port city of Beira, bringing heavy winds and rains. Two major rivers, the Buzi and the Pungue, burst their banks, submerging entire villages and leaving bodies floating in the water.

(With PTI inputs)