Disaster management capabilities on display
S Vishnu Sharmaa, INN/Chennai, @Svs037
What is to be done when disasters like natural calamities strike us? What are we supposed to do before the onset of the disaster? Chennai harbour was the place where answers to these queries were obtained.
The background of the exercise was a mock situation of a cyclone striking the coast of Tamilnadu which causes flooding in the urban landscape. The display showed how helicopters of Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard lift those who are stranded in the mid sea during disasters.
The event put to show how people stranded in the mid sea and are in need of medical attention are rescued with help of helicopters. Exercises also displayed how oil spills on the sea are regulated.
Indian Coast Guard showed how trouble causing oils spilt over the sea are prevented from spreading and how sea surface is removed of oil. Indian Air Force (IAF) displayed the bambi bucket technique that is used in dousing forest fires. A ship of Indian Navy modified into a Hospital was berthed at the port.
Boats of Indian Navy demonstrated how various techniques are used to find debris lying underwater so as to clear them to avoid trouble. Aerial survey by Naval Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft, salvage operations became a part of the exercise. K Shanmugam, Chief Secretary, Government of Tamilnadu was among the dignitaries present.