Civil Aid and Disaster Relief

Flood Relief Operations - Andhra Pradesh and Karwar Oct 2009.  

Naval contingent employed in Karwar district rescued 70 persons to safe ground at Arga and Chendia. Second relief team carried out rescue operations at Todur and rescued 60 persons to a local church where relief camp was set up by the civil administration. 150 people stranded on NH17 were provided food and shelter at Naval Base, Karwar. Additionally, 03 Naval contingents were dispatched on 02 Oct 09 from Visakhapatnam Naval Base for flood relief to Vijaywada, Mahbubnagar and Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh.

(a) Vijaywada. A team comprising 15 personnel and five Geminis rescued about 400 people from flood affected areas in and around Vijayawada.

(b) Mahbubnagar. A team consisting of 09 personnel with three Gemini boats reached Mahbubnagar on 03 Oct 09. The teams negotiated heavy currents to reach the island village of Garrummagadda in Krishna river and evacuated 30 marooned people including a pregnant lady, sick children and adults.

(c) Kurnool. 03 teams comprising of 10 personnel with three Gemini boats arrived Kurnool by evening of 03 Oct 09. These teams were subsequently employed for relief and rescue ops at Vemapetta area, about 110 km from Kurnool, which was flooded by the waters of Telugu Ganga river. These teams evacuated 80 people to safety.

Collision and Grounding of MSC Chitra off Mumbai Harbour. 

Collision and Grounding of MSC Chitra off Mumbai Harbour. MSC Chitra was grounded after collision with MSC Khalija on 07 Aug 10 off the Mumbai harbour. Consequent to the grounding the major concerns of various maritime agencies were controlling the floating containers which have broken loose from MSC Chitra which were posing as a navigational hazard and the increasing oil slick. From 12 Aug 10 to 20 Aug 10, units of the Indian Navy engaged in Operation Pathfinder, 180 merchant ships have been escorted in and out of the Mumbai Port with a view to locate / sight any container ahead of the merchant convoy, thereby ensuring safety. This was achieved through the dedicated efforts of Indian Navy ships and survey motor boats, which scanned the channel ahead of the merchant vessel convoy using radars (for surface search) and Side Scan Sonars (for underwater search). Additionally, helicopters were maintaining a visual watch on the path ahead of the ships that were being escorted . Apart from escorting duties Indian Navy has also carried out survey of 1000 square meter area around MSC Chitra by employing Survey Motor Boats fitted with specialized survey equipment. This will aid in commencing salvage work in the vicinity of MSC Chitra. Indian Navy personnel had also participated in a shore clean up effort undertaken in coordination with Indian coast Guard and other state agencies on 14 Aug 10.

Grounding of MV Nanad Aparajita off Kavrati. On 15 Aug 10, MV Nand Aparajita (a General Cargo Vessel) of Essar Shipping, ran aground off Kavaratti in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep & Minicoy due to rough weather and dragging of anchor. The vessel was carrying a cargo of 1300 tons of cement & steel and had 20 tons of fuel onboard.

The Union Territory Administration sought assistance from the Indian Navy for de-fuelling the vessel through local arrangements. MV Nand Aparajita was de-fuelled and the fuel has been transferred on to Syntex tanks ashore thereby obviating the risk of oil spillage.