Maldivian crises : Indian Navy's prompt response

Indian Navy : First to respond in Maldivian crises

Report as on 07 Dec 14:-

The island nation of Maldives is facing a national contingency that occurred due to fire on 04 Dec 14 in its desalination plant. This plant produces drinking water for Male. Responding to Maldives’ urgent request for assistance, INS Sukanya, on patrol off Kochi, was diverted pronto to arrive Male PM 05 Dec 14. The ship carried 35 tonne of fresh water and has the capability to produce 20 tonnes of water every day. The ship has already transferred approximately 65 tons of fresh water till this evening.

Additionally INS Deepak, a large fleet tanker with 900 tonnes of water was also sailed from Mumbai and has reached Male this evening (07 Dec 14). Indian Navy warships have the capability to produce drinking water using their desalination plants (INS Deepak is capable of producing 100 Tons water every day). The IN ships will continue to produce and supply potable water to Male even whilst at anchor. The responsiveness, unique capabilities, flexibility and versatility of warships in meeting various contingencies has yet again been demonstrated.

The Indian Navy has always been amongst the first responders to crises in Maldives. The first instance was in 1988 after mercenaries attempted a coup against the elected government. INS Godavari and INS Betwa responded to Maldives’ request and rescued abducted people from the fleeing mercenaries. This earned the lasting goodwill of the Maldivian Government and its people. IN was also the first to respond after Maldives was struck by a Tsunami in Dec 2004. IN Ships Mysore, Aditya and Udaygiri, along with their integral helicopters undertook prolonged and extensive operations to provide immediate succour to many islands in Maldives. In these efforts the Indian Navy established a Maritime Coordination Centre at Male for coordinating relief activities and assisted in distribution of relief supplies, restoration of power and provision of safe drinking-water. Medical aid was provided in the form of mobile medical camps and serious cases were evacuated by ship’s helicopters to Male.

Report as on 06 Dec 14:-

INS Sukanya reached Male Friday evening (05 Dec 2014) and transferred around 25 Tons of fresh water to water tankers and sintex tanks positioned on the jetty by the Maldivian authorities. Thereafter the ship moved to anchorage and produced another 15 tons of fresh water during the day i.e. today 06 Dec 14. This fresh water would be transferred ashore by water barges arranged by Maldivian authorities and subsequently to water tankers etc on the jetty.

INS Sukanya transferring fresh water in water tankers at Male

INS Sukanya, an offshore patrol vessel, on a routine patrol off Kochi was diverted to reach Male at the earliest to render necessary assistance and all the possible help to Maldivian authorities. The ship has has two Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants onboard which have a capacity of producing 20 tonnes of fresh water per day.

Another Indian Naval tanker INS Deepak, which was sailed from Mumbai on 05 Dec 2014 with 900 Tons of fresh water is scheduled to reach Male by noon tomorrow (07 Dec 14). She would also transfer the fresh water on to the water barges at anchorage. The ship is capable of producing 100 Tons of fresh water by the Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants fitted on board.

Press Meeting

Press Meeting onboard INS Sukanya

It may be recalled that a major fire broke out at the Male Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) generator control panel on 04 Dec 14, causing extensive damage to the cabling of the generator to the Distillation plants and disconnection of water supply.

Report as 05 Dec 14:-

In a swift response to a request made by the Maldivian Government to the Indian authorities regarding supply of fresh (potable) water, the Indian Navy dispatched INS Sukanya to Male last night (04 Dec 2014).

INS Sukanya, an offshore patrol vessel, was on a routine patrol off Kochi. She was diverted to reach Male at the earliest to render necessary assistance and all the possible help to Maldivian authorities. INS Sukanya is carrying 35 Tonnes of fresh water and has two Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants onboard which have a capacity of producing 20 tonnes of fresh water per day.

A major fire broke out at the Male Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) generator control panel on 04 Dec 14, causing extensive damage to the cabling of the generator to the Distillation plants and disconnection of water supply. The only water available at Male is stored in tanks and sumps and is being supplied for one hour every twelve hours.