‘Operation Madad and Sahyog’: Navy, army turn saviours after Kerala rains, floods | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
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‘Operation Madad and Sahyog’: Navy, army turn saviours after Kerala rains, floods

New Delhi | ByIndo Asian News Service
Aug 10, 2018 11:58 PM IST

Torrential monsoon rains in Kerala have killed at least 30 people and left thousands homeless due to flooding and landslides.

The Southern Naval Command at Kochi has rescued scores of people stranded in the flood-hit areas of Kerala as part of the Indian Navy’s “Operation Madad” for the rain and landslide-ravaged state.

A total of eight columns of army personnel were deployed in various parts of Kerala in which two columns were exclusively kept for the worst-hit Idukki district.(HT Photo)
A total of eight columns of army personnel were deployed in various parts of Kerala in which two columns were exclusively kept for the worst-hit Idukki district.(HT Photo)

The Indian Army also launched a major rescue and relief operation in Kerala.

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‘Operation Madad’

The operation was launched on Thursday to assist the state administration and undertake disaster relief operations due to unprecedented flooding in many parts of Kerala following incessant rainfall and release of excess water from Idukki and other dams.

Based on a request received from deputy collector, Wayanad, one diving team with Gemini inflatable boat was airlifted and sent to Kalpetta on Thursday to undertake rescue operations, an Indian Navy spokesperson said.

Naval helicopters are also deployed for ferrying divers, power tools, axes and relief material to the flooded areas to augment ongoing relief operations.

The operation continued on Friday with all resources available with the southern naval command.

Two teams with Gemini boats commenced rescue operations at Kalpetta, Wayanad and at Panmarum, 13 km south of Mananthavady, where they evacuated 55 stranded people on Friday.

Another team was air lifted by Seaking helicopter to Kalpetta with all gears and two electric Generators requested by the district administration.

Three additional diving teams have also been dispatched to Aluva for augmenting the rescue.

The spokesperson sad a 50-men contingent was positioned at Naval Armament Depot (NAD) Aluva fully equipped for assistance in any kind of eventuality.

“In addition, the Naval Hospital, INHS Sanjivani is ready for rendering medical assistance as required and all preparations towards setting up community kitchen by naval personnel from INS Venduruthy have been made in case the need arises.”

‘Operation Sahyog’

The army pushed its men and machinery into disaster relief and rescue operations at Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Idukki after incessant rain and landslides hit various northern districts of the state.

An army spokesperson said Karnataka and Kerala Sub area Headquartered at Bangalore was controlling the “Operation Sahyog” in Kerala.

A total of eight columns of army personnel were deployed in various parts of Kerala in which two columns were exclusively kept for the worst-hit Idukki district.

One column of Army from Pangode Military Station under the leadership of a Captain carried out the relief operations in Adimali area in Idukki district. One column of army was deployed at Idukki from Defence Security Crops in Kannur.

In addition, 80 Army personnel from Madras Regiment were deployed for ongoing rescue and relief operation for tourists at Pallivasal in Idukki.

Further, two columns of Army personnel from Pangode Military Station were expected to reach at Aluva by Saturday morning.

An army spokesperson said the timely intervention saved many lives and properties in the flood-hit districts.

The army constructed temporary bridges for the evacuations of the stranded people from the isolated villages.

Under the leadership of a Lt. Col., one column of Army also operated from Wayanad. In Mananthawady, the team split into two groups and rescue operation were coordinated from both Vaithiri and Panamaram area of Wayanad.

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