HADR Exercise conducted by Indian Navy in the Lakshadweep Islands

Indian Navy on 9 February 2015 conducted a large scale Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise in the Lakshadweep Islands (Karavati, Aggatti, Kalpeni and Androth).

The HADR exercise was designed to validate Indian Navy’s readiness and capability to handle major cyclone striking the Lakshdweep Islands and disrupting essential services, causing widespread destruction of property, loss of life and dislocation of personnel.

The exercise saw participation of more than 20 Indian Naval Ships from the Western and Eastern Fleet along with various aircraft of the Indian Navy. The exercise was conducted in an area of about 8000 square miles in the Indian Ocean.

The activities which were carried out during the exercise, are
• Setting up medical relief camps
• Provision of food, water and clothing to affected populace
• Activation of airfields and setting up of helicopter landing sites
• Setting up emergency power supply for hospitals, airport and communication centres
• Setting up temporary structures and shelters
• Evacuation of critically ill/ injured personnel
• Assistance towards rehabilitation

The ships were grouped into four forces for the four islands and each had a Humanitarian Assistance and Security component, as follows: