The Indian Navy and Army have been working tirelessly to decrease the toll on human life caused due to floods in Kerala. Airborne units of the Navy have been using helicopters to evacuate people from dangerous areas while boat units have reached places to do mass evacuations of people. Several dozen helicopters and boats are being operated round the clock to provide relief to residents of Kerala where the rising waters are wreaking havoc. A video of one especially intense rescue operation was shared by Indian Navy’s official Twitter handle on Friday. The video shows a pregnant lady being airlifted by the rescue team using a Navy helicopter after her water broke.
You have seen how a Navy chopper evacuated a heavily pregnant lady in Aluva. She delivered a baby boy 40 minutes after the rescue. Now listen to the pilot Commander Vijay Verma talk about the operation with @shreyadhoundial on #Epicentre. @indiannavy | #SOSKerala pic.twitter.com/JVAPTtcAaP
— News18 (@CNNnews18) August 17, 2018
Update on #OpMadad –
More than 3000 persons have been rescued by the armed forces as on date since the start of the operation.
More than 750 persons have been provided medical care by the armed forces.#KeralaFloods2018@nsitharaman pic.twitter.com/YFCfHlolom— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) August 17, 2018
Childbirth is a delicate procedure in itself, medical supervision and assistance is required at all times during childbirth. The lady was stuck on the roof of a house, her water breaking made the situation even more delicate as she and her child both needed immediate medical supervision. The lives of both mother and child was at risk and the Navy personnel along with the chopper came as a savior to both. A couple of hours later the Indian Navy themselves shared photos of the mother and child at a medical institution. Their condition was safe and they had indeed been saved by the efforts of the Navy personnel.
There are lots of such videos which have been shared by citizens and the Navy handle as well which show how bravely the Navy personnel are carrying out the rescue operations. Videos of helicopters landing on rooftops, helicopters hanging mid air at dangerously low level amongst trees to airlift dozens of people have been shared quite often on the internet in the past few days. The pilots have been and crew members have been working overtime to save as many people as they can at this hour of great distress in Kerala.
The Indian Navy apart from evacuating people from flood affected areas has also set up relief shelters at its hangars at Indian Navy Garuda base in Kochi and others. The people who have nowhere to go owing to the floods are being provided shelter, food and medication here. The Indian Navy is also using its handle to share photos of officers who are working tirelessly to provide relief to the people of Kerala. INS Deepak of the Indian Navy is scheduled to reach Kochi port by tomorrow morning with 8 lakh litres of drinking water, INS Deepak was replenished from the closest Mumbai yard. All training programs of the Indian Navy have been suspended in order to provide help to flood stricken Kerala’s inhabitants. These efforts of the Navy personnel should not go unrewarded, public appreciation and a salute for these brave lads is an absolute must. This is also not the first time when personnel of the armed forces have come in handy in saving the lives of citizens; from Kashmir to Kerala and all around the globe wherever disaster strikes the Indian Armed Forces are able and willing to help. Charity begins at home though, and Kerala is home. We would also urge our readers to do their bit in providing relief to the people of Kerala through whatever means they can.
