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.