Thiruvananthapuram: In flood-ravaged Kerala, numerous soldiers from the Indian armed forces have been working both fearlessly and tirelessly, round-the-clock to help thousands stranded across the state.
But on Monday, an Indian Navy chopper spotted something that showed how much people of the state value their saviours. During a regular sortie, the helicopter spotted a big 'thanks' painted on a rooftop of a house where the Naval ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter) piloted by Cdr Vijay Varma had rescued two women. 'Bravo...,' tweeted the Indian Navy along with some photos.
The Indian Navy along with Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Coastguard has been carrying out 'Operation Madad' in Kerala.
Meanwhile, the situation in Kerala is improving, and the rescue operations are almost complete, with efforts now moving towards relief and rehabilitation, a senior Navy officer said on Monday.
"As far as the Navy is concerned, we have stepped up our efforts specifically in the last four-five days and today, as you know, the effort is moving more towards providing relief and subsequently towards rehabilitation," Vice Admiral Girish Luthra Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Western Naval Command (WNC) told reporters.
"The entire effort is being coordinated from Delhi. As far as the defence forces are concerned, it is coordinated by the Defence Crisis Management Group, and at the national level too it is (being) coordinated by the National Crisis Management Group," he said.
He said the situation was expected to come under control soon with the support from all agencies, the central and state governments and a large number of NGOs and individuals.
With rains ebbing away, Kerala got some respite on Monday but faced the gigantic task of rehabilitating those rendered homeless and preventing outbreak of water-borne diseases, even as the death toll mounted to 216, officials said.
Over 7.24 lakh displaced people have been sheltered in 5,645 relief camps dotting the state, they said.
Lt. Gen. D R Soni, the chief of the Army's Southern Command, told a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram that rescue operations are continuing and drones are being used to assist in reaching people trapped in areas not easily accessible. See P6