India rushes relief to cyclone-hit Lanka

India on Friday sent two naval ships and a C-17 aircraft with relief material such as medicines and tents, along with teams of rescue experts, to Sri Lanka that has been severely battered by tropical cyclone Roanu.

A high-level meeting was held at the Home Ministry,  which assessed the requirement of relief material and airlifting them to the island nation, as India promised to extend all necessary help to the neighbour.

Navy said that Naval Off Shore Patrol Vessel (NOPV) INS Sunayna and survey vessel INS Sutlej are being sent to Colombo coast from Southern Naval Command in Kochi.

“India is extending help and relief to Sri Lanka, which is battling torrential rains and landslides that have caused significant devastation and loss of life. The Indian Navy is sending two ships today, INS Sutlej and INS Sunanyna with Geminis (inflatable boats), OBMs (outboard motors), additional divers, tarpaulins, consumable stores, rations, etc,” said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup.

He said the Home Ministry held a meeting on coordinating an airlift with NDMA cargo and assessed quantity of relief material required.

Swarup said all material will be collected here and a C-17 aircraft with crew and officials from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) would leave for Sri Lanka and there would be a brief halt at Chennai to pick up additional material.

“It will reach in the evening today carrying medical supplies, tarpaulins, tents, emergency lights consumables stores, and mobile toilets. The Ministry is in constant touch with our High Commission for any additional logistical support that might be required,” the spokesperson added.