Cyclone Mocha: Death Toll In Myanmar Rises To 80, India Launches Operation Karuna To Provide Relief

New Delhi: India on Thursday launched Operation Karuna to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief for people in Myanmar hit by Cyclone Mocha, with three Indian Navy ships carrying relief material reaching Yangon while a fourth is on way.

Indian naval ships, INS Shivalik, INS Kamorta and INS Savitri reached Myanmar carrying 40 tonnes of relief material, while a fourth ship INS Gharial is to arrive tomorrow with more relief material.

 

India’s relief assistance comes as the death toll in cyclone-hit Myanmar rose to over 80 on Tuesday, according to reports.
 

Mocha made landfall on Sunday with winds of up to 195 km per hour, bringing down power pylons and smashing wooden structures.
 

Around 50 people have died in villages in Rakhine state.

 

India continues to be  first responder in the region: S Jaishankar

 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a tweet that India continues to be the first responder in the region, and the ships are carrying emergency food items, tents, essential medicines, water pumps, portable generators, clothes among other things.
 

“India extends a hand of friendship to the people of Myanmar affected by Cyclone Mocha. “Operation Karuna underway. Three Indian Navy ships carrying relief material reached Yangon today. A fourth ship will be reaching tomorrow.

The Indian Embassy in Myanmar in tweets said that Indian Ambassador Vinay Kumar handed over humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) materials for the people of Myanmar to the Yangon Region Chief Minister today under Operation Karuna.

“All materials are being sent immediately to the Rakhine state for distribution among the affected communities,” the Indian embassy said in tweets.

 

Even as the first consignment of relief supplies was being unloaded and sent immediately to the Rakhine state for distribution among the affected communities, a fourth Indian Naval Ship Gharial is on its way with more materials, including emergency medicines and medical kits, and is expected to reach on Friday.

India’s immediate response holds a special significance as Myanmar remains the only ASEAN country adjoining India and, being a gateway to South East Asia, holds a special significance in line with New Delhi’s ‘Act East’ and ‘Neighborhood First’ policies.