The Indian Navy coninues operations to repatriate stranded Indian nationals from abroad, as well as citizens that remain in the Maldives, as the isssue of repatriation is gaining more attention.
Specifically, the amphib INS Jalashwa entered Kochi harbor on Sunday morning, May 17, finishing its second journey of bringing back Indian citizens from the central port of Male in the Maldives. The ship disembarked 588 Indian citizens, including 70 women, of whom six are pregnant, and 21 children at Cochin Port Trust’s Samudrika Cruise Terminal.
The repatriation is part of Indian’s government to facilitate the return of Indian citizens from foreign shores.
In the meantime, the INS Jalashwa berthed alongside and was received by personnel from Indian Navy, the port and the state and national governments.
Port officials made arrangements ahead, to conduct screening and immigration procedures, while the civil adminstration provided transportation for the evacuated Indian nationals to their respective districts and states for post-arrival quarantine.
In addition, the INS Jalashwa embarked this group of citizens at Male at May 15, in line with the governments plan of Indians’ repatriation. However, the vessel’s scheduled departure was delayed due to poor weather conditions, including heavy rains and strong winds. Cyclone Amphan, which is currently gathering force to the east in the Bay of Bengal, covers such a large area that its outlying wind and rain bands are indirectly affecting conditions in the Maldives.