Cyclone Idai: India First Responder To Mozambique In Crisis; Around 200 Rescued, More Than 1,300 In Navy Medical Camps

Partaking in relief operations in Mozambique which was badly hit by cyclone Idai, the Indian Navy has rescued more than 192 people and provided assistance to 1,381 people in medical camps set up by it, reports Indian Express.

At least 732 people had been reportedly killed as of Saturday (23 March) in the storm and heavy rains before it hit, and the figure is expected to rise further.

The cyclone caused maximum damage and loss in the Indian Ocean port city of Beira with a population of over 500,000 people. The scathing winds and stormy rains caused the banks of Buzi and Pungze rivers to burst open leading to massive losses of life and property.

In response to a request from Mozambique, India immediately diverted three naval ships, INS Sujata, ICGS Sarathi and INS Shardul to the affected city of Beira to assist local authorities in coordination with the High Commission of India, Maputo. The Indian Navy was the first responder to Mozambique in the crisis hour in the aftermath of Cyclone Idai.

As reported by DD News, officers from Indian Navy were seen assisting individuals stranded in the floodwaters to climb up to the higher ground. They were also seen delivering food, water, medical aid and other essential supplies to relief camps by India's Chetak helicopter which also undertook several sorties to conduct aerial survey by disaster management officials of Mozambique to coordinate relief and rescue operations with local authorities.

To sustain relief operations, another ship INS MAGAR, suitably loaded with relief materials is being sent to Mozambique, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. Assistance is also being sent to Zimbabwe and Malawi, two other countries hit by the cyclone, it added.