The Indian Coast Guard has pressed into service three ships, two helicopters, a Dornier hovercraft and two rescue teams to assist relief and rescue operation in the flood-hit southern districts of Tamil Nadu.

Coast Guard Commander Inspector General Rajendra Singh told UNI that two ships - Vikram and Vahra - were already engaged in the relief operations and the third ship - Havakhurtan - had left on Saturday evening for Cuddalore, carrying food materials.

Central team to assess damage

He said after the state government sought assistance, the Coast Guard swung into action and immediately deployed two ships with one helicopter each on board. The third ship would reach Cuddalore on Sunday morning, he added.

The helicopters are mainly being used for dropping food packets to the marooned people in Sethiarthope and surrounding villages in a radius of 60 miles, Singh said.

The Coast Guard Dornier hovercraft undertook continuous sorties to locate marooned people in the affected areas and coordinating assistance efforts, he said.

Two rescue teams from Mandapam were also pressed into service to undertake relief and rescue operation in Sivaganga and Pudukottai districts.

More than 80 people had been evacuated, he said, adding that the Coast Guard would assist the civil administration in the relief and rescue operation till normalcy was restored.