Disaster Management

NCMC decides to mobilize unprecedented rescue & relief operations in Kerala

Representative Image

KERALA: The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) met for the second time in two days to review the rescue & relief operations in the flood affected areas in Kerala. Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha, who chaired the meeting, held a video conference with the Chief Secretaries of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It was decided to mobilise additional resources of all agencies including Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to provide the required assistance to Kerala.

Cabinet Secretary directed these organisations to provide boats, helicopters, life jackets, life buoys, raincoats, gumboots, inflatable tower lights etc. Kerala Chief Secretary requested for motorised boats so as to reach people marooned in flood affected areas.

So far, the Centre has mobilised deployment of 339 motorised boats, 2,800 life jackets, 1,400 life buoys, 27 light towers and 1,000 raincoats. Further, 72 motor boats, 5,000 life jackets, 2,000 life buoys, 13 light towers and 1,000 raincoats are being deployed. 1, 00,000 food packets have been distributed and arrangements are being made to supply another 1, 00,000 food packets. Provision has been made for supply of milk powder as well.

Indian Navy has deployed 51 boats along with diving teams, 1,000 life jackets and 1,300 gumboots are being rushed to Kerala today. It flew 16 sorties in 48 hours in rescue operations. It will airdrop 1,600 food packets today.

Coast Guard has deployed 30 boats along with rescue teams, 300 life jackets, seven life rafts and 144 life buoys.

The IAF deployed 23 helicopters and 11 transport aircraft. Some of the aircraft are being flown in from Yelahanka and Nagpur. Army pressed into service 10 columns, 10 Engineering Task Forces (ETFs), 60 boats and 100 life jackets.

NDRF has mobilised 43 rescue teams and 163 boats along with other equipment.

Cabinet Secretary directed these organisations to mobilise additional boats and equipment including from CAPFs such as CRPF, BSF, and SSB.

Indian Railway has provided 1, 20,000 water bottles. Another 1, 20,000 bottles are ready to be dispatched. It is also running a special train carrying 2.9 lakh litres of drinking water that will reach Kayakulam Today.

Use of Naval airstrip at Kochi for use by civilian airlines has been offered to the Kerala Government as the civilian airport remained closed.

Kerala Government has been advised to explore use of V-SAT communication links in areas where telephone connectivity has been disrupted. Cabinet Secretary also directed that emergency medicines may be put on standby.

Team Urban Update

Recent Posts

Gadkari: EV prices to match petrol, diesel cars in two years

Representative Image NEW DELHI: Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Government of India,…

2 months ago

14 lakh homes built in Gujarat under PMAY scheme

Representative Image GANDHINAGAR, Gujarat: Gujarat has reached a significant milestone in the construction of homes…

2 months ago

MBMC launches ‘Central School Control Room’ for students’ safety

Representative Image THANE, Maharashtra: The Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) in Maharashtra has established a…

2 months ago

Delhi govt extends ban on sale, production of firecrackers till Jan 2025

Representative Image NEW DELHI: With the aim to tackle the increasing air pollution level in…

2 months ago

UPSIDA takes over maintenance of 34 industrial areas from ULBs

Representative Image LUCKNOW, Uttar Pradesh: The Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA) has come…

2 months ago

Delhi Jal Board to team up with WATCO for 24/7 water supply

Representative Image NEW DELHI: The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) plans to collaborate with the Water…

2 months ago