Operation Neer (Hindi: "Water") was initiated by Indian government in response to the Maldivian government's request for help after major fire broke out at the Male Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) generator control panel on 4 December 2014, causing extensive damage to the cabling of the generator to the Distillation plants and disconnection of water supply. The Maldives do not have standing fresh water, and is thus entirely dependent on desalination plants.[1][2][3]