INTEGRATED HEADQUARTERS OF MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (NAVY)

RELIEF ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY INDIAN NAVY

 

An intense earthquake, measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale, was reported from the Andaman and Nicobar islands at 0629 hrs on 26 Dec 04. The epicenter of the earthquake lay centred off the West coast of Sumatra. The earthquake generated a massive 'tsunami' wave reaching heights of between 6-10 metres, which spread in all directions at a speed of 700 km per hour. The tsunami caused devastation to life and property in almost all countries of the Indian Ocean Region.

Reacting swiftly to the situation, the Indian Navy prepared a deployment and logistic plan for its ships to provide disaster relief to coastal areas of India, A & N islands as also to the neighbouring countries of Sri Lanka and Maldives. The Indian Navy put all its available resources in its three Commands i.e. Western, Eastern and Southern Naval Commands for undertaking disaster relief operations.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

All ships at A&N Islands command were tasked for disaster and relief operations. Islander and Dornier Aircraft made regular sorties to nearby islands for dropping relief materials and assessing damages. Two naval ships and a tanker were tasked for carrying relief material and fresh water/fuel from Vishakapatnam to A&N island. To maintain a continuous supply of relief aid, the Indian Navy also requisitioned two ships from the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) for carrying these supplies between the mainland and Port Blair.

·        Car Nicobar

·        Four ships, along with one landing ship having a helicopter embarked, carrying 20 tons relief materials/ medical teams were pressed into service for Car Nicobar and adjoining islands.

·        One TU 142 Maritime Patrol aircraft was launched PM 26 Dec 04 for aerial reconnaissance and damage assessment over A&N islands. The aircraft reported overhead Car Nicobar at 1740 h on 26 Dec 04 and provided an update on the situation.

·        INS Gharial, a landing ship on passage to Port Blair with approximately 200 Army personnel embarked, was diverted to Car Nicobar and arrived there at 0700 h on 27 Dec 04. The ship disembarked 80 troops to Car Nicobar, who rigged up tents and set up a 'langar' for the local population affected by the disaster.

·        MV Yerawa (merchant ship) with relief supplies and 30 tons of packaged fresh water is scheduled to depart Vizag PM 28 Dec 04 for A&N islands.

·        Cambell Bay

·        The entire Naval detachment buildings and Coast Guard facilities were found extensively damaged/washed away.

·        Breakfast and lunch for 200 people, water and provisions were landed by a naval Dornier aircraft at Campbell Bay on 27 Dec 04.

Relief Supplies being loaded on Naval Dornier

·        Subsequently, more relief material has also been landed by IAF AN-32 at the airfield.

East Coast

Six ships from the Eastern Naval Command were deployed for extensive searches to look for survivors along the Tamil Nadu and Andhra coast. No survivors, however have been found at sea. All ships deployed on the East Coast set up relief camps ashore to distribute food and medicines. The ships were tasked as follows:-

·        INS Khukri with a Chetak helicopter embarked (ex-Ramnad) in coastal areas between Cuddalore and Nagapattinam.

Team from INS Khukri conducting a Medical Camp

·        INS Sharabh with diving team off Nellore.

·        INS Ranvijay with Kamov 28 helicopter, Ranjit with Kamov 25 helicopter, Kirch and Khanjar in coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

The following assistance was rendered by these ships :-

·        INS Kirch rendered assistance to five fishing boats detected off South Andhra Pradesh coast and provided food and relief supplies. It also carried out a search for seven fishermen missing at sea as reported by the district collector.

·      A team from INS Sharabh visited villages along Nellore coast and provided food to the villagers.

·        INS Ranjit helicopter dropped food supplies to personnel in Krishna district.

·        A medical camp was set up by INS Ranvijay and INS Sharabh teams at Pallepalayam near Nellore on 28 Dec 04.

Medical Camp conducted by INS Ranvijay

·        Diving operations in support of Chennai Port Trust are in progress.

·        The helicopters from Eastern Naval Command undertook extensive search and rescue operations off the East Coast on 26 and 27 Dec 04 from the following Naval Air Stations (NAS):-

o       NAS Arakkonam – off Pondicherry & Cuddalore

o       NAS Ramnad – Nagapattinam & Karaikal

o       NAS Visakhapatnam – off Visahapatnam, Praakasam, Nellore & Srikakkulam districts

Sri Lanka

·       Galle

o       INS Sharda, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, arrived on 27 Dec 04 off Galle harbour. The ship established contact with the Sri Lankan Navy Detachment and launched an inflatable boat with divers and helicopter for reconnaissance. The ship undertook setting up of medical camps ashore in consultation with the local authorities. Barges were arranged by the Sri Lankan Navy for offloading relief supplies supplies from Sharda.

o       INS Sutlej, a survey ship, arrived off Galle on 28 Dec 04. The ship carried out sounding (measuring of depth) of the channel using the ship’s boats and providing assistance for salvage and clearance/survey of channel to render it safe for navigation.

· Trincomalee

o       INS Sandhayak, a survey ship, and INS Sukanya, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, arrived at Trincomalee on 27 Dec. Three truck loads of dry provisions and medical supplies were handed over to the district government agent and the Sri Lankan Navy. One Medical Officer was deputed to the Trincomalee civil hospital. The balance of the medical team, along with Sri Lankan Navy, set up medical camps at outlying areas around Trincomalee.

·        IN Dornier

o       One naval Dornier will medical teams and medical supplies landed at Colombo at 1917 h on 26 Dec 04. The medical teams have been deputed to the District Hospital at Hambantota and are attending to the casualties.

First Dornier Aircraft arriving at Colombo

o       A second naval Dornier sortie was launched from Kochi on 27 Dec 04 with 400 kg of medical supplies and 300 litres of water embarked onboard. The aircraft landed at Colombo (Ratmalana Airbase) at 1900 h. The aircraft returned to Kochi after disembarking relief supplies.

Male

Two naval ships with medical/diving teams were immediately despatched to Male. One tanker with 50 tons of various food items, 6000 fresh water pouches and 1000 tons fresh water sailed subsequently. These ships are also carrying portable communication equipments of various specifications for restoration of communication lines within Male. The details are as follows:-

o       INS Mysore, a destroyer with two helicopters, medical and diving teams embarked arrived Male at 0700 h on 28 Dec 04.

o       INS Udaygiri, a frigate, with helicopter, medical and diving teams embarked arrived Male on 29 Dec 04.

o       INS Aditya, a tanker, with Chetak helicopter embarked sailed from Mumbai with approx 20 tons of relief supplies, provision, medicines, diving teams, medical teams etc and arrived off Male on 29 Dec.

· Medical Teams

·       Two mobile surgical teams along with six doctors have reached Male on the Indian naval ships.

Kerala Coast

·        Kollam

·        A diving team from Kochi was deployed at Ochira Block, Karungapalli Taluk, Allapad Panchayat in Kollam District of Kerala on 26 Dec 04 to rescue marooned people. The team arrived on the scene at 0300 hrs on 27 Dec 04 and commenced diving operations at 0815 hrs the same day. Extensive underwater search in the channel and under 40 Chinese fishing nets placed along the channel is being undertaken by the team. They have recovered 18 bodies so far.

·        A medical team is also positioned at Shertolai.

·        10 mobile medical teams deployed along the Andhra Coast and five mobile medical teams in Andaman & Nicobar area are providing medical cover to people in coastal areas.