NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy's Search And Rescue (SAR) operations continued for the third day over the Southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands, which were badly hit by the severe cyclonic storm 'OCKHI'.
The ships deployed by the Southern Naval Command include Indian Naval (IN) ships Sagardhwani, Jamuna, Nireekshak, Kabra and Kalpeni off the Kerala coast, apart from Sharda and Shardul towards Lakshadweep islands.
Besides, three aircraft - Dornier, Seaking Helicopter (SK) and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) were also deployed throughout the day.
A total of 84 personnel have been rescued so far in the last two days, including 62 by aircraft and 22 by ships. Additionally, transfer of two dead bodies was also effected through ALH to Thiruvananthapuram after being picked up by INS Sagardhwani.
Of the 62 people rescued by the naval aircraft, eight personnel were transferred to Kochi in batches of four after being picked up 20 Nautical miles southwest and 80 nautical miles west of Kochi, respectively.
Those evacuated to Kochi were given preliminary first aid at naval clinic in INS Garuda before being handed over to the civil administration. The rest of the rescued persons have been transferred to Thiruvananthapuram.
INS Shardul from Kochi is heading towards Minicoy islands with Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) 'bricks,' which include water, dry provisions, medical equipment, blankets, diving team, generators, salvage equipment, desalination and decontamination kits, diving team and a Chetak helicopter embarked for the rescue mission.
The relief material would sustain 2000 persons for over a period of seven days.
INS Sharda is heading towards Kavaratti islands with HADR material sufficient to last for more than seven days for 500 people. The ship, while proceeding towards the islands, saved nine lives from a capsized boat in distress enroute.
Naval ships fom Mumbai, INS Chennai, Kolkata and Trikand have also sailed out from Mumbai for Lakshadweep and Minicoy (LAM) islands with HADR material sufficient for approximately 5000 persons and would last for more than seven days.
Androth and Kavaratti are reportedly experiencing strong winds of 40-60 knots, coupled with high swells of 3-4 metres with a sea state of 5-6. All the ships are expected to reach LAM by morning tomorrow.
In addition to the aircraft from Kochi, the P8I aircraft from Arakkonam with greater reach is being used to maintain a close vigil continuously over the sailing ships and provide inputs, if any.
The areas close to coast are continuously being monitored using Dornier aircraft from Kochi. The SAR is to continue further.