India rushes navy ships for relief operations in Myanmar

New Delhi, May 5 (UNI) India today rushed two naval ships with relief material to cyclone-hit Myanmar.

The two naval ships -- Rana and Kirpan -- already pre-positioned at Port Blair have been tasked to proceed with relief stores to Myanmar.

On May 2 at 2030 hrs, Myanmar was hit by 'Nargis' cyclone, causing massive damage to life and property and throwing the entire region out of gear.

The ships at both Visakhapatnam and Port Blair were on a high alert since May 1 after the Cyclone approached Myanmar coast to render any assistance, if the need arose.

Both the ships sailed tonight to reach Yangon by May 7 so as to provide the necessary disaster relief stores, which include food, tents, cloths, medicine and blankets.

The Government of India and the Indian Navy have constantly endeavoured to provide succour to countries in the Indian Ocean Region.

In the recent past, the Indian naval ships were deployed to Bangladesh carrying relief material when the country was devastated by a similar cyclone.

The Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) role of the Indian Naval ships during Tsunami of December 2004 and Lebanon crisis in June 2006 had been internationally acclaimed.

UNI AG GT DB2050