New Delhi: The Indian government has launched “Operation Karuna” to provide humanitarian assistance to Cyclone Mocha-hit Myanmar.

Three Indian Navy ships carrying relief material reached Yangon on Thursday.

A fourth ship is scheduled to reach the country on Friday.

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted: "India extends a hand of friendship to the people of Myanmar affected by #CycloneMocha."

"#OperationKaruna underway. Three Indian Navy ships carrying relief material reached Yangon today. A fourth ship will be reaching tomorrow," he said.

Jaishankar said, "The ships are carrying emergency food items, tents, essential medicines, water pumps, portable generators, clothes, sanitary and hygiene items, etc."

He said India continues to be the first responder in the region.

With coastal winds recorded at up to 250 kilometers per hour making landfall off the Bay of Bengal, the storm tore through villages in Myanmar's Rakhine state, leaving villagers to piece together their ruined homes while they wait for aid and support.

According to news reports, Mocha ripped off roofs, smashed fishing boats, uprooted trees and brought down power lines and telecommunications, terrifying the population, said the UN aid coordination office, OCHA.