India’s ‘Operation Samudra Maitri’ to help tsunami-hit Indonesia.

Following widespread destruction in Indonesia, Indian government has launched major operation to provide assistance to the earthquake and Tsunami victims.

India has dispatched two aircraft and three naval ships carrying relief material to the country.

What is Operation Samudra Maitri?

“Operation Samudra Maitri’ for humanitarian assistance was launched after a telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Joko Widodo on October 1, and following Indonesia’s acceptance of international aid,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday and offered all possible assistance.

Indian planes, warships carry medical aid

Two Indian Air Force aircraft — C-130J and C-17 departed on Wednesday morning with medical personnel and relief material.

The C-130J aircraft is carrying a medical team along with tents and equipment to set up a field hospital. The C-17 aircraft is carrying medicines, generators, tents and water to provide immediate assistance, the MEA said.

Three Indian Navy ships — INS Tir, INS Sujatha and INS Shardul — have also been mobilised to carry out humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. These ships are likely to reach the Central Sulawesi province of Indonesia on October 6, the ministry said.

The ships are carrying 30,000 litres of bottled drinking water, 1500 litres of packed juices, 500 litres of milk and 700 kg of biscuits.

7.5 quake triggered Tsunami wave

A massive 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Indonesian province of Sulawesi on Friday triggering a tsunami wave of 2 ft.

The twin quake-tsunami decimated parts of the central Indonesian island of Sulawesi and left more than 1200 dead.

About 1,700 homes in one Palu neighbourhood were swallowed up, with hundreds of people believed buried, the national disaster agency said.