New Delhi,5 May :Indian Naval Ships Rana and Kirpan already pre-positioned at Port Blair have been tasked to proceed with despatch to Myanmar. Myanmar was hit by Cyclone ‘Nargis’ at 2030 hrs on 02nd May 08, causing massive damage to life and property and throwing the entire region out of gear. IN ships at both Visakhapatnam and Port Blair have been on a high alert since 01 May since the Cyclone approached Myanmar coast to render any assistance, if the need arose.
Both Indian Naval Ships have sailed tonight to reach Yangon by first light on 07 May 08 so as to provide the necessary disaster relief stores which include food, tentage, cloths, medicine, blanket etc. Indian government and Indian Navy have constantly endeavoured to provide succour to countries in the Indian Ocean Region. In the recent past IN Ships were deployed to Bagladesh carrying relief material when the country was devastated by a similar cyclone. The Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) role of Indian Naval Ships during Tsunami of December 2004 and Lebanon Crisis in June 2006 has been internationally well acclaimed.