Thiruvananthapuram: Having encountered many floods and cyclones in Odisha, it could not have been a more tiresome task for a 245-member team of the fire and rescue services personnel from Odisha who actively participated in the rescue and relief operations in Kerala.
Over 1,800 persons were rescued by the Odisha team from flood-hit parts of Kottayam, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta. Apart from rescue, the Odisha team also helped in sending relief materials, pumping out water from the flooded areas, restoring power connections and providing medical assistance.
Equipped with 63 power boats and gadgets like cutters and tower lights, the team led by chief fire officer Sukanta Sethi was airlifted to Thiruvananthapuram by Saturday night in Air Force flights. They immediately swung into action.
“We had split into groups and went to various locations as per instructions of the revenue officials, district administrations and police. Parts of Kottayam, Chengannur, Vaikom, Adoor and various parts of Alappuzha were covered,” Mr. Sethi told DC.
Mr. Sethi also said that though the flood was devastating, his team carried out rescue operations as they are well trained to face tough conditions such as these. “No personnel was injured during the operation. The only tense moment was when one personnel went missing as he lost his way. He could not be reached over mobile phone owing to connectivity breakdown. But he was safe and rejoined us the same night itself," he said.
While expressing happiness that they could rescue over 1,800 people, Mr. Sethi also said that if they could have reached at least one more day in advance, they could have contributed more to the rescue operations.
The team was assigned to Kerala as per the directive of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The Odisha government has also contributed about Rs 10 crore to the Chief Minister's relief fund and are also sending more relief materials.
