Yemen, June 3: A total of 38 Indians who were stranded in Yemen’s Socotra Island due to Cyclone Mekunu have been rescued by the Indian Navy on Sunday.  In response to a distress call received from the DG shipping and the Indian Sailing Vessels Association, Indian Naval Ship Sunayna was directed to evacuate 38 Indian nationals.  At present, Sunayna is deployed for a mission-based deployment in the Gulf of Aden.

The Indian Naval Ship Sunayna on Sunday was directed to evacuate all the 38 Indian nationals who were stranded in aftermath of the cyclone. At present, Sunayna is currently deployed for in the Gulf of Aden.

According to a recent tweet by ANI, all 38 have been reported to be safe. According to details by the Indian Navy, post-evacuation, the ship will proceed towards Porbandar to disembark evacuated people.

“All 38 stranded Indian seafarers evacuated from Habidoh port Socotra being embarked onboard INS Sunayna by Rubberised inflatable boats (RHIBs) after security checks. Bad weather hampering the progress of Operation”, a tweet by Spokesperson Navy informed.

It further informed that progress of operation was severely hampered earlier in the day view rough weather. “Weather has improved now & evacuation of stranded Indian seafarers has commenced. Pics of some of the crew being attached”, the Indian Navy informed.

The operation code name 'NISTAR', was carried out on Sunday morning off the coast of Socotra. “The Indian Navy undertook two aerial sorties on May 27 and 28 to search for the missing Indians. INS Sunayna, deployed on a mission-based deployment in the Gulf of Aden was pressed into action to evacuate the 38 Indian nationals from Socotra,” the Indian Navy said.

According to a government press release, a very severe cyclonic storm Mekenu crossed the Yemeni Island of Socotra on 24 May 18, leaving the 38 Indians stranded on the island with limited food and water. Also, three Indian dhows at Socotra suffered damages/ sank alongside in the harbour and another Dhow, MSV Safina Al Khijar with 12 Indians onboard is reported to be missing.

The Navy further informed that people who have been evacuated were embarked onboard and immediately provided with medical care, food, water. They were also provided with telephone facilities to let their families know that they were safe.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 03, 2018 05:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).