Navy Ships Take Position Off Odisha Coast For Post-Fani Rescue Ops

The Indian Navy has deployed its sea assets such as INS Sahyadri, Ranvir and Kadmatt with relief material and medical teams south of the approaching cyclonic storm Fani in the Bay of Bengal to assist in immediate rescue and relief operation.

In a statement, the Navy said the ships, as well as the team, are “maintaining (position) south of the cyclonic storm to be the first to respond and commence rescue operation as soon as the cyclone crosses the coast.”

Additional relief material, medical teams and diving teams have been shifted from Visakhapatnam to Odisha by road to augment the rescue and relief efforts under Naval Officer-in-Charge (Odisha) on Thursday, it said in its statement.

Besides, aircraft have been kept on standby for immediate deployment to carry out aerial survey as soon as the cyclone crosses the coast to assess the impact of the cyclone and aid in rescue operation.

Helicopters have also been kept on standby for joining the rescue operation and for air dropping of relief material when required.

The movement of the cyclone is being closely monitored and naval officers-in-charge of West Bengal and Odisha are in constant communication with respective state administrations to coordinate rescue and relief operations.

Additional ships and aircraft have also been kept on standby at Visakhapatnam for immediate deployment to the most affected areas in the aftermath of the cyclone crossing the coast, the statement said.