Coastguard’s operations in flood hit Tuticorin

The Coast Guard has deployed its ships, aircraft and disaster relief teams in flood affected areas of south Tamil Nadu. A, joint effort by ICG teams have saved about 200 lives stranded in flood waters in Tuticorin and adjoining areas on December 19..

Thousands of people marooned in Tuticorin were rescued by over one hundred boatmen who arrived there from neighboring Kanyakumari district         

ICG had commenced positioning of its assets in south Tamil Nadu area well before 18 Dec 23, as a precursor to heavy rains expected in south Tamil Nadu as per meteorological predictions.

One ship of Indian Coast Guard namely ICGS Sujay, with an integral helicopter onboard, was already on patrol south of Gulf of Mannar to respond to any Search and Rescue situation at sea. Once reports of widespread flooding were received from local authorities, ICG augmented its presence by positioning one fixed wing Dornier aircraft and 02 Advanced Light Helicopters ALH Mk-III at Madurai on December 19th  to undertake relief operations.

The Tuticorin based coastguard station formed six disaster relief teams with rescue boats and essential aid to assist local population stranded in various pockets in south Tuticorin and adjacent areas. ICG station based at Mandapam has also dispatched a rescue team along with Gemini boat, Kayaks and other relief material to Tuticorin by road to aid the stranded persons.

 Apart of the helicopter operating from Coast Guard ship near Tuticorin, a detachment of ICG air squadrons consisting of 01 Dornier and 02 ALH Mk-III positioned at Madurai airport have commenced continuous sorties to render assistance in flood affected areas.  3 ICG helicopters have undertaken sorties to drop more than 600 Kg of relief material consisting of food packets and other essential items provided by State administration for the affected citizens.

Meanwhile on ground, ICG search and rescue teams combing through flood waters have rescued more than 200 persons and escorted them to safe locations.