 "16,000 rescued in NDRF's biggest flood relief operation")
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Saturday said it has launched its biggest deployment of personnel so far, as it pressed into service 50 rescue and relief teams with about 200 boats, rescuing 16,325 people marooned in the city and adjoining areas.
NDRF Director General O P Singh, who has been camping here since Friday, said that with the induction of 20 fresh combat teams overnight, close to 1,600 personnel in fifty teams are now undertaking the operations.
“This is our most massive deployment for any flood disaster till date. Now, we have close to 1,600 personnel with 21 officers and 200 rubberised inflatable boats. We have rescued around 16,000 people till now,” Singh said while talking to reporters. He reviewed the operations of the force in the Kottupuram area along with state government officials.
“All our helplines, be it over phone, WhatsApp, Twitter or email, are working actively and responding to those in distress,” Singh said.
With the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting more rain, he said his teams were determined to reach more areas so that relief material is provided before the rain begins.
Meanwhile, in Delhi a meeting of the Crisis Management Group under the chairmanship of Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi was held to review the operations being undertaken by multiple agencies.
Officials said Mehrishi issued directions to intensify the efforts so that people are provided with essential goods like water, milk and snacks.
Representatives of the ministries of defence, food, railways, agriculture, health, Department of Telecommunications, National Disaster Management Authority, IMD and NDRF participated in the meeting.
An NDRF spokesperson said that so far its teams have distributed 19,465 food packets and 16,002 water packets in the affected areas.
NDRF Director General O P Singh, who has been camping here since Friday, said that with the induction of 20 fresh combat teams overnight, close to 1,600 personnel in fifty teams are now undertaking the operations.
“This is our most massive deployment for any flood disaster till date. Now, we have close to 1,600 personnel with 21 officers and 200 rubberised inflatable boats. We have rescued around 16,000 people till now,” Singh said while talking to reporters. He reviewed the operations of the force in the Kottupuram area along with state government officials.
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Singh said the force was stepping up its operations each day and their aim is to provide water and food to as many people as possible. "We are also persuading people to come to safer locations with us," he said, adding that the NDRF is making extensive use of social media to expand its relief and rescue operations.
“All our helplines, be it over phone, WhatsApp, Twitter or email, are working actively and responding to those in distress,” Singh said.
With the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting more rain, he said his teams were determined to reach more areas so that relief material is provided before the rain begins.
Meanwhile, in Delhi a meeting of the Crisis Management Group under the chairmanship of Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi was held to review the operations being undertaken by multiple agencies.
Officials said Mehrishi issued directions to intensify the efforts so that people are provided with essential goods like water, milk and snacks.
Representatives of the ministries of defence, food, railways, agriculture, health, Department of Telecommunications, National Disaster Management Authority, IMD and NDRF participated in the meeting.
An NDRF spokesperson said that so far its teams have distributed 19,465 food packets and 16,002 water packets in the affected areas.