It’s hardly a breaking news that the financial capital of India, i.e., Mumbai is functioning on a state of high alert at the moment, given the arrival of the seemingly ominous Cyclone Tauktae! In the course of the last 24 hours, this very cyclone has pushed back the residents of India’s “Millennium city” further back to their residences with everyone treading with extreme caution. But more specifically, speaking of the damages wrecked by the cyclone, it has led to the missing of no fewer than ninety six (96).
This is heartbreaking news, specifically because at this point in time, India is already suffering from the grave consequences of the second wave of the COVID virus.
But that being said, it’s not that everything is entirely murky with the coming of the cyclone that none may have thought would strike the country in conjunction with the COVID pandemic.
In the course of the rescue efforts to save commoners from the cyclone’s onslaught, as many as 314 individuals have been already rescued from two barges off Mumbai’s coast.
In what can truly be described as an extremely risky and tedious rescue operation, it appears that as of now, the crew of Barge P305 are continuing to do emphatic work despite the threatening ongoing conditions.
What is confirmed is that there were as many as 137 onboard Barge Gal Constructor. And every one of them who were running around in times of grave crisis have already been rescued off Bombay High. The only trouble that lingers on is about the 96 who are reportedly still missing.
That being said, it’s also important to note that who all were involved in the rescue operation. To that end, it is important to note that INS Kochi, INS Kolkata, in addition to Offshore Support Vessels (also known as OSV) Greatship Ahalya and Ocean Energy were continuing with the rescue operations.
Moreover, as on Monday, May 17, 2021, the Barge P305 had actually gone adrift off the Heera Oil Fields in the Bombay High area. This is when the vessel was carrying no fewer than 273 individuals on board.
What a colossal risk that might have been had all of them gone missing, don’t you think?
Gal Constructor’ went adrift due to engine trouble and run aground about 48 NM north of Colaba Point. “The crew have been airlifted and safely transferred to nearby Wadrai beach. Rescue operations are over for the vessel,” said the Coast Guard, which has launched two Chetak helicopters for the rescue effort.
INS Talwar was proceeding to render assistance to oil rig Sagar Bhushan with 101 personnel onboard and an accommodation barge SS-3 with 196 personnel onboard. Both were adrift and at present located about 50 NM South East of Pipavav Port, the Navy spokesperson said.
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A report published in the revered Hindu newspaper highlighted the instance and shared-
The ongoing rescue efforts were augmented in the morning by a Naval P-8I surveillance aircraft and naval helicopters would also be deployed for SAR, based on weather conditions. The SAR efforts would continue through the day with more naval assets ready to augment the ongoing SAR, the Navy spokesperson stated.
One can only hope that no further damage occurs on account of the cyclone in Maharastra or for that matter, any other region that stands in danger of being struck by the threatening natural disaster.