Relief Camps and Community Kitchens Setup by Indian Navy in Villages near Puri

Relief Camps and Community Kitchens Setup by  Indian Navy in Villages near Puri

In order to provide succor to those in immediate need of assistance at most affected villages around Puri in the aftermath of extreme severe cyclone Fani, Indian Navy continued the Relief Operations with three ships using their integral helicopters.  The helicopters have been utilised for airdropping food packets in areas which are inundated and inaccessible  by road.  In addition, Relief Camp and Community Kitchen at Pentakota village in Puri catering for 1,000 personnel has been set up since 05 May 2019. 5,000 litres of potable water supplied to Chattragad village using water bowsers from INS Chilka. Supply of another 5000 litres bottled water is being augmented from Visakhapatnam by road which is expected to reach the Relief camp site by midnight on 05 may 2019.

Based on a request from the Temple Administration, a Naval Diving Team from INS Chilka undertook diving operations to clear off sand, plastic, other organic matter accumulated alongside the Kalijai floating Jetty, and carried out underwater assessment of the Jetty for safe operations on 05 May 2019. The two-hour long  activity was undertaken by a team of six divers with the specialised equipment. The floating jetty used for ferry of tourist boats was affected by the impact of cyclone. High speed winds gusting over 100 kmph had deposited a large quantity of sand, plastic, other organic matter alongside Jetty which prohibited the ferrying of large boats with higher draughts alongside the Jetty, thus disrupting connectivity of the island with the main land.

In order to render medical assistance, Naval Medical Teams have set up Medical Camps at four locations at Chattraged and Jankia villages in Odisha. About 150 personnel have been provided medical assistance and medicines were distributed to those in need.  The medical team also sensitised the villages on preventive measures to avoid water-borne deceases and discussed other health related issues. The teams also assisted in distribution of food to the stranded villagers affected by the cyclone.