Cyclone Idai: Indian Navy Rescues 192 People in Mozambique

Cyclone Idai has claimed 66 lives, inundated the roads and damaged property.

(Photo: Twitter Screenshots)

The Indian Navy has rescued at least 192 people and set up medical camps in Mozambique to provide aid and assistance to 1,381 people, in the wake of cyclone Idai said a report by PTI on 24 March.

In the wake of cyclone Idai hitting the Mozambican coast, the Indian Navy diverted ships to the African country for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) work on 15 March, reports PTI.

The Ministry of External Affairs said, in a statement, that India responded to a request by Mozambique and immediately diverted three naval ships to the port city of Beira.

‘Over the last several days, the 3 Indian ships - INS Sujata, ICGS Sarathi and INS Shardul are undertaking HADR (Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief) in coordination with local authorities and the High Commission of India, Maputo.’

MEA statement

The statement added that another ship, INS MAGAR, was loaded with relief materials and sent to Mozambique to sustain HADR operations.

“It would carry provisions for approximately 1000 persons for seven days. In addition, 500 kg of epidemic-related medicines and 400 tonnes of rice have also been loaded on the ship. The ship is expected to sail in the next 2-3 days.”

The MEA also said that IN Helicopter Chetak was sent to assist in facilitating aerial surveys by the disaster management officials of Mozambique.

‘Assistance is also being sent to Zimbabwe and Malawi, the two other countries hit by the cyclone.’

MEA

The Navy spokesperson tweeted about being the first responders to the crisis, and about their disaster relief effort.

Coastal City of Beira Left in the Dark After Idai

Cyclone Idai battered Mozambique’s coastal city of Beira on Friday, 15 March. The city's power grid crashed because of the cyclone, the airport has been shut, and most roads are inaccessible.

The power grid crash has left the 500,000-odd residents of Beira without electricity and access to communication. 

The current death doll sits at 700 people, across Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique.

The cyclone is carrying heavy rains and winds of up to 177 km/h (106 mph), the BBC. reported.

Idai comes after a week of storms and heavy rains in Mozambique and Malawi which have claimed more than 100 lives and destroyed thousands of homes and property.

Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi said, on 15 March, that his government was "doing all we can to ensure that the situation returns to normal in all spheres".

Malawian President Peter Mutharika last week declared the cyclone a natural disaster.

What is the Extent of the Damage?

Tweets show the high level of damage to property, with electrical lines being affected.

Tweets also included evidence of the heavy winds and inundated roads.

(With inputs from BBC and Business Standard)