New Delhi: In response to the devastating flash floods in Myanmar following Typhoon Yagi, the Indian Navy has commenced rapid preparations to deploy Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
Several regions across Myanmar have been severely impacted by Typhoon Yagi, which originated from the South China Sea, and claimed over 470 lives in the country. Heavy rainfall has further triggered floods in northern Myanmar, especially in Tachileik at the border with Thailand.
It may be mentioned that heavy rains from Typhoon Yagi’s remnants have impacted the Philippines, Vietnam, Northern Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, millions are affected in all five countries.
On September 7, 2024, Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm to hit the South China Sea in 30 years, made landfall in northern Vietnam. The storm caused widespread damage in multiple provinces, with Quang Ninh and Hai Phong provinces of the country, where wind speeds reached 213 km/h, being the most affected.
In Vietnam, over 290 deaths were reported and 9,500 houses were damaged. Two million schoolchildren face disrupted learning in the country. In Thailand, severe weather in Northern Thailand caused significant flooding and landslides affecting about 14,328 households. In Laos, floods in Luang Namtha province affected 40,255 people.
The Indian Defence Ministry today said the Eastern Naval Command in co-ordination with Eastern Fleet and other supporting units – Base Victualling Yard (BVY), Material Organisation and INHS Kalyani, have completed the overnight loading of HADR pallets including HADR gears, drinking water, victualling rations and medicines etc., onto Indian naval ships destined from Visakhapatnam for HADR operations in Yangon.
This rapid mobilisation comes despite the short notice, showcasing the Navy’s ability to swiftly respond to humanitarian crises in the region, the Ministry stated.
– global bihari bureau
