Relief and rescue operations intensify amid flood devastation in Sargodha, with 19 teams deployed

Patna, October 2: (ABN) Relief and rescue operations are being carried out on a war footing in various blocks of Saran district in view of the flood situation. Under the Chief Minister’s directives, the Disaster Management Department and district administration are continuously deploying rescue teams and essential resources in flood-affected areas under joint supervision. Additional National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been sent to Saran in anticipation of floodwaters entering new areas. Previously, five NDRF and three SDRF teams were deployed in the district. To further strengthen the relief and rescue operation, three additional NDRF teams from Bhatta, two from Gopalganj, two from Bhagalpur, and one from Supaul have been dispatched to Saran. In addition, four SDRF teams from Madhubani, Darbhanga, Samastipur, and East Champaran have also been sent. Consequently, a total of 19 teams, comprising 12 NDRF and 7 SDRF teams, are now engaged in relief and rescue work in Saran.

A total of 360 trained personnel are deployed across the 12 NDRF teams. These teams are equipped with over 50 boats, 480 life jackets, and 360 life buoys, along with other essential supplies for rescue operations in flood-affected areas. Each NDRF team is provided with 30 trained personnel, 5 boats, 30 life buoys, 40 life jackets, and 2 deep-dive sets. Adequate resources have also been provided to the additional SDRF teams. The team from Darbhanga includes 20 personnel and 4 boats, the Madhubani team has 20 personnel and 6 boats, the Samastipur team has 19 personnel and 6 boats, and the team from East Champaran comprises 18 personnel and 6 boats. In total, over 140 trained SDRF personnel and more than 36 boats are being utilized for relief and rescue operations.

To deliver rations to flood victims, the Air Force has so far air-dropped over 3,000 ration packets via helicopter, with a target to air-drop over 5,000 packets by evening. Additionally, large quantities of rations are being sent to Saran from various districts. Specifically, 10,000 ration packets are being sent from Patna, 15,000 from Siwan, 5,000 from Bhujpur, 5,000 from Buxar, and 5,000 from Vaishali. Thus, a total of 40,000 ration packets are being provided for the affected areas from various districts.

To provide immediate temporary shelter to flood-affected families, 75,000 plastic sheets are being sent to Saran from different districts. This includes 25,000 from Darbhanga, 20,000 from Madhubani, 15,000 from Sitamarhi, and 15,000 from Samastipur. The district administration is continuously monitoring the distribution of relief materials, rescue operations, and the availability of essential services in affected areas. Further deployment of resources and provision of relief materials are being ensured according to the flood situation and requirements. The government has stated that the administration is fully active in providing all possible assistance to disaster-affected individuals. In any emergency, the state emergency operation center can be contacted at the toll-free number 1070.