New Delhi: After Cyclone Mocha hit Myanmar hard, India launched Operation Karuna to provide humanitarian assistance. The aid will include food, medicine, water pumps, clothes, hygiene items, and portable generators.
"India extends a hand of friendship to the people of Myanmar affected by #CycloneMocha. #OperationKaruna underway. Three Indian Navy ships carrying relief material reached Yangon today," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar wrote on Twitter.
Indian Naval Ships Shivalik, Kamorta, and Savitri were the first Naval ships to arrive at Yangon.
"A fourth ship will be reaching tomorrow. The ships are carrying emergency food items, tents, essential medicines, water pumps, portable generators, clothes, sanitary and hygiene items, etc. India continues to be the first responder in the region," he added.
According to The Dhaka Tribune, the death toll in Myanmar rose to 81. At least 46 people died in the Rakhine state villages of Bu Ma and Nearby Khaung Doke Kar where persecuted minority Rohingya Muslims live. "There will be more deaths, as more than a hundred people are missing," said Karlo, the head of Bu Ma village near Sittwe.
Cyclone Mocha made landfall on Sunday with winds up to 195 kmph.