The Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy has launched large-scale Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in response to severe flooding in Maharashtra and Karnataka caused by continuous heavy rainfall and overflowing rivers and dams.
Deployment and operations
Naval rescue teams have been mobilised in coordination with state administrations in the affected districts of:
- Kolhapur, Sangli, and Belgaum
- Uttar Kannada (Karnataka)
A total of 14 rescue teams, including five from Goa Naval Area, have been deployed since 5 August 2019. An additional five teams were sent from Mumbai to Sangli for reinforcement.
Operations have been supported through:
- Naval Dornier aircraft
- Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH)
- Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopters
- Road movement where air access was restricted
Teams are equipped with:
- Gemini rubber boats
- Life jackets and life buoys
- First aid kits and loud hailers
- Specialized naval divers and diving equipment
Rescue operations and impact
Maharashtra
In severely affected areas such as Chikhli village and Shivaji Bridge (Kolhapur), naval teams rescued over 240 people in a single day (7 August 2019), with continued evacuations on 8 August. Hundreds more were relocated from multiple villages including Sontali and Kolhapur outskirts.
Karnataka
Key operations included:
- Evacuation of around 500 people near Kadra Dam, Kaiga (Uttara Kannada)
- Additional rescues from Hinduwada (Malapur area) and Kovadu village (Belgaum district)
- Total evacuations in Karnataka reached approximately 869 people
Priority was given to:
- Women and children
- Critically ill patients
- Stranded rural populations
Overall response
The Indian Navy’s rapid deployment reflects coordinated inter-agency disaster response involving state authorities, the Indian Air Force, and naval aviation assets. The operations significantly contributed to large-scale evacuation and relief in flood-hit regions.
