Annual Joint HADR Exercise 2018 – 'Chakravath': Page 2 of 5
Annual Joint HADR Exercise 2018 – 'Chakravath' Concludes
The maiden Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise organised by Southern Naval Command at Kochi, in conjunction with the Govt of Kerala and other stakeholders, concluded on 08 April 2018. The exercise provided the local populace an insight into the role and functions of relief agencies and various technological advancements achieved in the field of Search, Rescue and Relief operations. The exercise projected the dynamic capabilities and swift mobilization of the Armed Forces, NDRF, SDMA, Fire and Rescue Services and other relief agencies during a calamity. The exercise included a seminar, skill demonstration, an exhibition, a disaster relief camp and a Field Hospital. Additionally, a ship of the Indian Navy, converted into a Hospital Ship, was also showcased as part of the exercise. Amongst the various activities, the exhibition, which was open to public, invoked much interest. Stalls set up by various agencies provided a brief outlook on their operational functioning and resource management during a large scale disaster. A total of 679 trainees, comprising NCC cadets and students from various schools attended practical demonstrations on survival at sea alongwith life raft operations, fire-fighting skills, donning of various kinds of fire retardant suits and operation of fire extinguishers. The Indian Air Force displayed its evacuation and lift capability with special mention of Op Rahat during the Uttara khand floods. A stall, depicting a real time monitoring and early warning indication system for landslides and maritime communication network, was set up by Amrita Institute. The CIFT stall showcased various exterior division fishermen training programmes, technological advancements in wireless technology and concept of ‘sea mobiles.’ Stalls were also set up by FACT and Dept of Fisheries and Chemicals depicting contingency plans during ammonia leakage and setting up Chemical Emergency Response Centre in case of oil spillage respectively.
Events During "Chakravath"
Exercise Chakravat - 06 Apr 18
The Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief exercise Chakravat witnessed the training phase on Day 2 with training in disaster relief operations being imparted to the local populace. NCC cadets from various regions in and around Kochi, school children from different schools and volunteers participated in large numbers. The attendees were given practical demonstration of safety and rescue devices, special HADR tools and equipment, relief measures, Standard Operating Procedures during disaster, roles played by various organisations and agencies. The stalls on deep sea search and diving equipment by Diving School of SNC and specially trained search and rescue dog squad of NDRF were popular amongst the visitors. The event would continue to be open to public viewing from 1100 to 1800 hours till 08 April 2018.
Events During "Chakravath"
Field Hospital
Medical Relief is a critical part of any HADR setup and plays a vital role in providing timely succour to the affected population. In this connection, a Field hospital has been setup as part of the ongoing State level Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief exercise “Chakravath” near Boat Train Pier Jetty, Cochin Port Trust at Wellingdon Island. The Field hospital has components of a reception and Triage area, a laboratory X Ray unit, 12 bedded ward, Emergency operation theatre, Isolation ward dispensary and Mortuary. After initial management to save life & limb, critically ill patients would be evacuated to higher centers.
The Field Hospital has been setup as a collaborated effort by the Indian Navy, District Health Services and General Hospital, Ernakulam and has the capacity to treat casualties including general illnesses and undertake life and limb saving surgeries, post trauma. The setting up of this functional Field Hospital as a part of State level HADR exercise with the involvement of the civil administration and the Armed Forces will go a long way in lessons learnt for future, knowing the limitations of each force, ironing out deficiencies, enhancing capabilities by judicious procurement, and will be helpful as a force multiplier in the event a disaster were to strike the coastal region of Kerala.
Events During "Chakravath"
HADR Seminar
As a part of Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Exercise being conducted by the Southern Naval Command at Kochi from 05 to 08 April 2018, a seminar covering experience sharing by various agencies, and Disaster Management Plan was conducted on 05 April 2018 at Samudrika Hall, CoPT Kochi. The Chief Guest for the event was Shri E. Chandrasekharan, Minister of Revenue and Housing, Government of Kerala.
Vice Admiral AR Karve, PVSM, AVSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, gave the Inaugural address and Shri Paul Antony, Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala, delivered the Key Note address. National Prespective on Disaster Management was given by Lt Gen (Retd) NC Marwah, Member, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The seminar was conducted over two sessions from 0900h to 1300h. The theme for the seminar was “Experience Sharing and relief operations - Cyclone Ockhi” for session I and was moderated by RAdm RJ Nadkarni, VSM, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command. “Capabilities and Disaster Mitigation Plans” was the theme for session II and was moderated by RAdm K Swaminathan, VSM, Chief Staff Officer (Training), Southern Naval Command. A total of eight speakers from various government agencies presented their views. The Chief Guest, Shri E Chandrasekharan also addressed the gathering at the end of the seminar.
Joint HADR Exercise “Chakravath” Begins with an Impressive Ceremony at Kochi
Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise Chakravath commenced at Kochi on 05 April 2018. The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan. inaugurated an Exhibition at the Sagara Hall of Cochin Port Trust (CoPT) consisting of around 60 stalls put up by various National and State level agencies, NGOs and vendors, for displaying a large range of equipment used for Disaster Relief . This was followed by the Hon’ble Chief Minister witnessing the main highlight of the exercise, the Skill Demo, which was conducted in the Mattancherry Channel off the BTP Jetty, CoPT.
Inauguration of Exhibition by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan
The exhibition witnessed huge participation from the general public and generated greater awareness of HADR capabilities of the concerned agencies amongst the local populace of the city. The Chief Minister was also shown an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp set up by the Army and a Field Hospital, jointly set up by the Navy, Army and General Hospital Kochi. The Skill Demo witnessed by the Chief Minister, along with Shri Kadannappally Ramachandran, Minister of Ports, Ms Shailaja Teacher, Minister for Health and Shri E Chandrasekharan, Minister of state for Revenue and Disaster Management from the deck of naval survey vessel INS Sarvekshak showcased the capabilities and prowess of the Armed Forces, as well as all State Agencies, in tackling an emergency using all available resources. The setting was the aftermath of a Cyclone hitting the coast of Kerala and demonstrated coordinated actions taken by various agencies.
Seminar for making Kerala Disaster Resilient
The demonstration included an aerial survey by Naval Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft, Search and Rescue operations, Port Clearance operations, Wreck Salvage Operations, Disaster Relief operations by the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, a Pollution Response demo by a Coast Guard Pollution Control Vessel and a ‘Bambi Bucket’ demo by an IAF helicopter for dousing forest fires.
Earlier in the day, a seminar, for experience sharing by various agencies, and Disaster Management Plan was also conducted at Samudrika auditorium of CoPT, Willingdon Island. Shri E Chandrasekharan, Minister of State for Revenue and Disaster Management was the Chief Guest for the event. The Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Southern Naval Command Vice Admiral A R Karve delivered the inaugural address, where he highlighted the aim of the exercise being making Kerala ‘Disaster Resilient’. The seminar was participated by eminent speakers from the State Administration, Armed Forces, National Disaster Response Force, academia and other fields. A total of eight speakers from various government agencies presented their views.
Skill Demonstration
“Chakravath is being conducted by the Southern Naval Command at Kochi from 05 to 08 April 2018. Training sessions will also be conducted at the Exhibition Hall for volunteers, by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), Department of Health Services and Fire and Rescue Services from 06 to 08 April. The Field Hospital, Disaster Relief Camp and Exhibition would be open to public viewing on 06, 07 and 08 April 2018 from 11:00 AM till 06:00 PM.
