Kochi: The Southern Naval command on Wednesday called off its 14-day rescue operations in the flood-hit Kerala, saying there were no more requests for evacuation as water receded in affected areas.

Naval personnel rescued a total of 16,005 people during 'Operation Madad', launched on August 9 for assisting the state administration and undertaking disaster relief operations.

"The Southern Naval Command recalled all rescue teams deployed for #OperationMadad as flood waters receded and no more requests for rescue were received," a defence release said.

According to the Disaster Management State Control room, 231 people have lost their lives and 32 are missing in flood-related incidents since August 8. Nearly 14.50 lakh people belonging to 3.91 lakh families are still lodged in 3,879 relief camps across the state.

Besides the Navy, personnel of the Army, the Air Force and Coast Guard were also involved in the rescue and relief operations along with the civil administration.

Army's Southern Command chief Lt Gen D R Soni had on Monday said its personnel would continue to be engaged in the rescue operations in flood-hit Kerala till the situation stabilised.

The defence forces were involved in several daring rescue acts such as the air-lifting of a pregnant woman that won them widespread appreciation.

The Navy said that in addition to the rescue of the marooned, ten air sorties were undertaken by various naval aircraft, mainly for air dropping relief supplies, especially food and medicines.

Relief materials including fresh water, provisions, ready-to-eat meals and medicines (which arrived in two ships of the Western Naval Command) were distributed in various localities.

The Naval air station, 'Garuda', continued facilitating civil aircraft operations, in addition to the military flying requirements, the release said.

The Naval airport was used after the Cochin international airport at Nedumbassery was shut due to the floods.

Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India, and Indigo operated ATR 72 aircraft during the day.

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