Porbandar (Gujarat):

Indian Naval Ship Sunayna entered Porbandar harbor of Gujarat today with 38 Indian Nationals successfully rescued from cyclone hit Socotra Island of Yemen.

Defence Spokesperson Lt Col Manish Ojha said that the Indian nationals were stranded for nearly ten days after severe Cyclonic Storm – Mekenu devastated the area around Socotra Island. INS Sunayna was diverted from Gulf of Aden deployment to Socotra Island for search and rescue operations after Indian Navy received a distress call from Directorate General of Shipping and Indian Sailing Vessels Association. The 38 Indian nationals were successfully rescued / evacuated in the early morning of June 3, 2018 during a swift Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Operation, code named Operation NISTAR. All the evacuees were safely embarked onboard the ship and were immediately provided with medical care, food, water and telephone facilities. Thereafter, the ship also undertook intensive surface search and aerial reconnaissance of the area to look for any more survivors.

The ship entered Porbandar harbor at 0900 hrs this morning and was received by Rear Admiral Sanjay Roye, Flag Officer Commanding Gujarat, Daman & Diu Naval Area. After initial briefing about the scheduled disembarkation formalities, all 38 Indian nationals were put through mandatory immigration checks and customs clearance. Primary medical care was also offered by the Indian Navy staff. They were served light refreshments. Post completion of all the administrative formalities, they were handed over to the civil police to facilitate their return to native places.

Several Indians were reported missing in Oman and Yemen after Cyclone Mekunu made landfall on May 25.

DeshGujarat