ENC says actively participating in Chennai flood relief operations

VISAKHAPATNAM: Eastern Naval Command ( ENC) here is actively participating in the flood relief operations in Chennai under its project "Madad", its chief said today.

Under the project, the Command is sending its ships and helicopters with material and personnel to participate in the rescue and relief operations in Chennai, which has been battered by unprecedented rains, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Vice Admiral Satish Soni said.

`INS Airavat' has been rushed to the Tamil Nadu Capital with disaster relief stores, including a helicopter, medical teams, eight Gemini boats and 20 divers, Soni told reporters on board `INS Sahyadri'.

The Naval authorities had deputed three flood relief teams comprising 20 sailors armed with associated gears and they have been deployed in Gandhi Nagar area of Chennai, he said.

Another team consisting of one officer, 16 sailors and carrying 250 food packets were deputed today in Tambaram area upon the Tamil Nadu Government's request, he said.

`INS Shakti', a fleet tanker with `INS Sahyadri', left for Chennai this evening with essential commodities such as vegetables, milk, milk powder, water and medicines, Soni said.

The ENC chief said `INS Chetlat', on patrol duty in Palk Bay, yesterday responded to distress call of a fishing boat and towed it to safety to Rameswaram.