Saturday, Jan 01, 2005
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles deployed
By Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, DEC. 31. The armed forces today deployed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) over coastal Kerala for the first time to help them assess the damage caused by the tsunami and rush relief and rehabilitation to areas rendered inaccessible. Official sources, however, did not specify the number of such vehicles but pointed out that the "real time" information sent by them would cut down the laborious process of sending Army columns on foot or choppers on short reconnaissance sorties.
In addition, stepped-up relief efforts in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands saw the deployment of 4,000 troops, two-dozen aircraft and helicopters each and 19 ships belonging to the Navy, the Coast Guard and civilian flag-carriers. Their efforts will be supplemented by 1,200 paramilitary forces, which landed at Port Blair today. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands received 205 tonnes of medicines and relief stores today, including the 55 tonnes dispatched by the Home Ministry in merchant ships. Besides, a 120-bed hospital has started functioning aboard INS Magar, the first vessel to reach the area hours after the tsunami struck.
Government sources said the restoration of communication facilities on the islands was in full swing and near normality in many areas should be restored early next week. A total of 43 satellite-based phones terminals were providing point-to-point connections in the island.
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