In flood-ravaged Kerala, numerous soldiers from the Indian armed forces have been working tirelessly, round-the-clock to help thousands stranded across the state.
But on Monday, an Indian Navy chopper spotted something that showed how much people of the state care for their saviours. During regular sortie, the helicopter spotted a big ‘thanks’ painted on a rooftop of a house where the Naval ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter) piloted by Cdr Vijay Varma had rescued two women. ‘Bravo...,’ tweeted the Indian Navy along with some photos.
Check out the pics below:
The Indian Navy along with Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Coastguard has been carrying out ‘Operation Madad’ in Kerala.
Meanwhile, the situation in Kerala is improving and the rescue operations are almost complete, with efforts now moving towards relief and rehabilitation, a senior Navy officer said today.
"As far as the Navy is concerned, we have stepped up our efforts specifically in the last four-five days and today, as you know, the effort is moving more towards providing relief and subsequently towards rehabilitation," Vice Admiral Girish Luthra Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Western Naval Command (WNC) told reporters.
"The initial part of rescue has been more or less completed, although a few people may be trapped in different areas. We will be reaching to them and making sure that they are also taken to safe locations," he said.
Vice Admiral Luthra said the rescue operations in Kerala started about two weeks ago and were gradually stepped up as the rains intensified.
"The entire effort is being coordinated from Delhi. As far as the defence forces are concerned, it is coordinated by the Defence Crisis Management Group and at the national level too it is (being) coordinated by the National Crisis Management Group," he said.
He said the situation was expected to come under control soon with the support from all agencies, the central and state governments and a large number of NGOs and individuals.
Floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains have claimed 210 lives in Kerala since August 8 and displaced over 7.14 lakh people from their homes.
(With inputs from PTI)
