Kerala floods: Indian armed forces showing exemplary heroism and indomitable courage

Around 30000 people have been successfully rescued by Indian Armed Forces in flood-affected areas while 3500 people have been provided medical aid in flood-affected areas of Kerala.

In the history of Indian Armed Forces, there are countless tales of exemplary heroism shown by the jawans. Now from flood-ravaged Kerala comes great stories of indomitable courage shown by all the three wings of the Indian Armed Forces namely Indian Army, Navy and the Air Force.

Kerala is presently experiencing worst floods in almost 100 years with 80 dams opened and all rivers in spate. As of August 20, nearly 400 people have lost their lives and lakhs have been sheltered in relief camps. More than half a million people are displaced.

The Indian armed forces engaged in the rescue operations are doing a tremendous job and have saved thousands of lives in the South Indian state. Around 30000 people have been successfully rescued by Indian Armed Forces in flood-affected areas while 3500 people have been provided medical aid in flood-affected areas of Kerala, tweeted Nirmala Sitharaman, Defense Minister of India.

A look at the rescue efforts of the Indian Armed forces in Kerala:

• Indian Army has restored connectivity at 49 locations, cleared 22 landslides and constructed 18 temporary bridges. So far, the Indian Army has also distributed 3.5 tons of relief material and food packets.

(Army jawans constructing temporary bridges to reconnect remote areas and rescue people. Image Credit: Twitter/ ADG PI-Indian Army)

 

(Captain Syed Ashad Ahmed of 8 Engineer Regiment, established captive ferry to rescue 57 civilians from Chngannur. Image Credit: Twitter/ ADG PI-Indian Army)

(An Army jawan at the forefront of rescue and relief operation, risking his own life to save others. Image Credit: Twitter)

• Indian Navy has distributed 156000 food packets and 47630 kgs of relief materials. INS Mysore sailed from Mumbai with emergency kits, foods, water and additional life jackets. INS Deepak disembarked 900T of fresh water at Kochi.

(Video Credit: Facebook/Indian Navy)

(INS Deepak disembarking Rations, Freshwater and mineral water at South Jetty Naval Base in Kochi. Image Credit: Twitter/ Spokesperson Navy)

(Indian Navy team helping to fix a broken bridge and road in Thrissur where 109 people were trapped on the other side of the stream. The team successfully rescued all those trapped on the other side including infants, ladies, senior citizens and children.)

• Indian Air Force has conducted extraordinary rescue operation in the flood-ravaged state. The IAF carried out 619 sorties and 2893 passengers and 587T of load, tweeted Defense Minister. The C-17 aircraft crew is working 24 hours to ensure continued support to Kerala. A massive effort by IAF C-17's, a total of 100 tons of pulses airlifted from PMO section Delhi to Naval base Kochi, Calicut, and Trivandrum on 20 Aug 18. C-17 have flown more than 100 hours in last three days and airlifted more than 500 tons, IAF tweeted on Tuesday. 

(The Garud Commando carrying out rescue operations by winching children from the rooftop and evacuating in IAF helicopter to rescue camps. Image Credit: Twitter/ Indian Air Force)

(Indian Airforce flight from Mumbai carrying tons of relief material for Kerala flood-affected persons. Image Credit: Twitter/ Indian Air Force)

(IAF Medical Team is prepared to move to flood-affected areas from AF Station Yelahanka, to provide first aid and medical support to the survivors. Image Credit: Twitter/ Indian Air Force)

#OpMadad #KeralaFloodsRelief #KeralaFloods Wheelchair bound(paralysed below the waist) pregnant lady being winched up to safety in a very challenging hover by Captain P Rajkumar Shaurya Chakra. Location is some where in North of Aluva @DefenceMinIndia @nsitharaman @CMOKerala pic.twitter.com/KW0mw36eCu

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 20, 2018

• Indian Coast Guard: ICGS Vijit, the offshore patrol vessel sailed from Mumbai to Kochi with 40 tons of relief materials. Moreover, 42 motorized, 11 non-motorised and 21 hired boats from the Indian Coast Guard have been deployed to enable efficient movement of citizens to safer locations and relief camps.

 

(Indian Coast Guard dispatching truckload of relief materials including drinking water and fresh ration/food packets for distribution to the needy. Image Credit: Twitter/Indian Coast Guard)

(Indian Coast Guard's Rescue and Relief Team no.7 rescued more than 100 people including senior citizens from an Old Age Home of flood-affected Camponypady village and shifted them to shelters at safer places. Image Credit: Twitter/Indian Coast Guard)