Navy warships rush to rescue over 400 crew on 2 barges adrift off Mumbai due to cyclone Tauktae

Indian Navy has pressed three of its warships -- INS Kolkata, INS Kochi and INS Talwar -- after it received a message from two barges that are adrift off the Mumbai coast amidst cyclone Tauktae over the Arabian Sea.

The first SOS call was received from Barge 'P305' with 273 personnel on board.

"On receipt of a request for assistance for  adrift off Heera Oil Fields in Bombay High area with 273 personnel onboard, warship INS Kochi was sailed with a despatch for Search and Rescue (SAR) assistance," Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said.

The oil fields are around 70 km southwest of Mumbai. 

He also said that several other ships have been readied for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief tasking in the wake of Cyclone Tauktae that has wreaked havoc along the western coast.

In response to another SOS received from Barge 'GAL Constructor' with 137 people onboard about 8 nautical miles from Mumbai, INS Kolkata has been sailed with despatch to render assistance. 

• Barge
• Cyclone Tauktae
• INS Kochi
• INS Kolkata
• Indian Navy
• Off Mumbai coast
• INS Talwar
• Cyclone warning
• Weather update