New Delhi: The Indian Navy on Monday night rescued 177 people out of over 400 onboard two barges off the Mumbai coast in challenging sea conditions as cyclonic storm 'Tauktae' brushed past the western coast.
Two barges with 410 persons on board have gone adrift off the Mumbai coast as the cyclonic storm 'Tauktae' over the Arabian Sea intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm on Monday.
A total of 177 persons from Barge P305 have been rescued till 11:30 on May 18, by INS Kochi and INS Kolkata by offshore support vessel Energy Star in extremely challenging sea conditions.
In a tweet by the official spokesperson of the Spokesperson Navy,it read, "SAR Ops Barge P305. 177 personnel rescued so far. First batch of 03 Rescuees brought in by #IndianNavy Helo. #INSKochi & #INSKolkata along with MV Offshore Energy & MV Ahalya continue with #SAR in extremely challenging circumstances. @DefenceMinIndia."
Two Indian Coast Guard Chetaks launched from Daman have successfully airlifted 10 crew from grounded Barge Gal Constructor Its warships -- INS Kochi, INS Kolkata -- are undertaking the rescue operations for Barge 'P305' adrift off Heera Oil Fields in Bombay High. Operations being undertaken in extreme weather conditions and very rough seas.
Also read:'Extremely' Severe Cyclone Tauktae weakens into 'Very severe cyclonic storm': IMD
About the Navy's response to deal with the fallout of the cyclone, the Navy spokesperson said 11 diving teams had been kept on standby for deployment in case of any request from state authorities.
Two Indian Coast Guard Chetaks launched from Daman have successfully airlifted 10 crew from grounded Barge Gal Constructor.
He said 12 flood rescue teams and medical teams had also been kept ready for immediate response and deployment.
"Repair and rescue teams have been formed to undertake urgent infrastructural repairs post-cyclone if required," he said.
"Various ships along the Western seaboard are standby with aid and relief material for immediate assistance to affected areas as required and to provide assistance to fishing boats/ small boats stranded due to rough weather," he said.
Commander Madhwal said the Navy's maritime reconnaissance aircraft on surveillance were continuously broadcasting cyclone warnings to the fisherfolk.
