Report On
Annual Joint HADR Exercise 2018
‘CHAKRAVATH’

The Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise –Chakravath was organized from 5th April to 8th April 2018 by Southern Naval Command at Kochi, in conjunction with the Govt of Kerala ,KSDMA and other stakeholders. The exercise provided the local populace an insight into the role and functions of relief agencies and various technological advancements achieved in the field of Search, Rescue and Relief operations during a disaster mainly with theme Cyclone. The exercise projected the dynamic capabilities and swift mobilization of the Armed Forces, NDRF, SDMA, Fire and Rescue Services and other relief agencies during a calamity. The exercise included a seminar, skill demonstration, an exhibition, a disaster relief camp and a Field Hospital. Additionally, a ship of the Indian Navy, converted into a Hospital Ship, was also showcased as part of the exercise. Amongst the various activities, the exhibition, which was open to public from 6th to 8th April 2018 which invoked much interest. There was a total of about 60 stalls which provided a brief outlook on their operational functioning and resource management during a large-scale disaster.

A seminar covering experience sharing by various agencies, and Disaster Management Plan was conducted on 05 April 2018 at Samudrika Hall, CoPT Kochi. The Chief Guest for the event was Shri E. Chandrasekharan, Minister of Revenue and Housing, Government of Kerala.Vice Admiral AR Karve, PVSM, AVSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, gave the Inaugural address and Shri Paul Antony, Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala, delivered the Key Note address.
The seminar was attended by eminent speakers from the State Administration, Armed Forces, National Disaster Response Force, academia and other fields. A total of eight speakers from various government agencies presented their views. The seminar was conducted over two sessions from 0900h to 1300h.The theme for the seminar was “Experience Sharing and relief operations – Cyclone Ockhi” for the first session and was moderated by RAdm RJ Nadkarni, VSM, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command. “Capabilities and Disaster Mitigation Plans” was the theme for the second session and was moderated by RAdm K Swaminathan, VSM, Chief Staff Officer (Training), Southern Naval Command. The Chief Guest, Shri E Chandrasekharan also addressed the gathering at the end of the seminar.
The National Perspective on Disaster Management was given by Lt Gen (Retd) NC Marwah, Member, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Dr.Vasuki IAS ,DC Trivandrum shared her experience during cyclone Ockhi and the participation by various stakeholders during the occurrence of the disaster. Mr. J Vincent Jain, Deputy Chief Executive ,SIFFS verbalized about the fishermen’s exposure during the deadly cyclonic event Ockhi. Cmde Deepak Kumar CSO9Ops), HQSNC presented about the challenges faced over the search and rescue operation conducted by the Navy during the cyclonic event. The experience of airmen during the cyclone Ockhi was shared by AVM Richard John Duckworth, VSm Air Def Commander HQSAC.

The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the Exhibition at the Sagara Hall of Cochin Port Trust (CoPT) consisting of around 60 stalls put up by various National and State level agencies, NGOs and vendors, for displaying a large range of equipment used for Disaster Relief. This was followed by the Hon’ble Chief Minister witnessing the main highlight of the exercise, the Skill Demo, which was conducted in the Mattancherry Channel of the BTP Jetty, CoPT.

Training sessions were jointly conducted at the Exhibition Hall by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), Department of Health Services and Fire and Rescue Services from 06 to 08 April for student volunteers. The Field Hospital, Disaster Relief Camp and Exhibition was open to public from 06th to 08th April 2018 from 11:00 AM till 06:00 PM. A total of 679 trainees, comprising NCC cadets and students from various schools attended the training programme.