With the Maldivian capital facing an acute water crisis after a fire in the city's water treatment plant, India on Friday sent an IAF transport aircraft and naval vessels carrying a large consignment of water to meet the immediate requirement of over 100,000 people.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj are seized of the crisis and have promised full assistance to the people and leadership of Maldives, a statement by the Indian high commission in Male said.

"Mindful of the strong, friendly and close relations between India and the Maldives, India reacted with alacrity and promptness to the request from the Maldives for timely provision of water," the high commission said.

The first aircraft, an IL-76, arrived in Male on Froday at 1.15pm carrying a large consignment of water to meet the immediate requirement.