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Sri Lanka floods: India sends ships for relief operations, PM Modi condoles loss of lives

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 5/27/2017 5:38:08 PM

INS Kirch which operates in the South Bay of Bengal has been directed to reach Colombo and help carry out relief operations in the flood affected areas.

The western and southern part of Sri Lanka was hit by floods after torrential rainfall which further led to mudslides in a number of places. At least 100 deaths have been confirmed by the Lankan government while about 99 are still missing. The floods which were caused due to heavy rainfall, rendered over 2,900 people homeless, the Disaster Management Centre said.
Military personnel deployed for the rescue mission are using large armored vehicles and boats to transport people to safer places. The rescue operation is still going on as there still remain villages where the boats have been unable to reach.
The Indian Navy has also sent ships carrying relief material to assist the rescue mission. INS Kirch, which operates in the South Bay of Bengal, has been directed to reach Colombo and help carry out relief operations in the flood affected areas.
Along with this, INS Jalashwan will be sent out from Visakhapatnam on Saturday with HADR (Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief) materials. The vessel will carry a team of divers and medical practitioners to assist relief operations.
Meanwhile, INS Shardul, scheduled to sail from Kochi at 7 am, will reach Colombo by Saturday night. It is also carrying medical and diving teams.Prime Minister Narendra Modi while condoling the loss of lives of the victims offered relief supplies and aid to the island nation facing the worst floods in 14 years in the region. He ensured support to the neighbour country in this time of disaster.