"NDRF Responds to Monsoon Crisis in Konkan and Western Maharashtra"
Amid heavy rainfall in Konkan and Western Maharashtra, the 5th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has dispatched 17 out of its 18 teams to these areas to handle potential emergencies. This action was taken in response to a government request for assistance from the NDRF.
NDRF's response:
Additionally, one NDRF team is on standby at their headquarters in Pune, prepared to address any situation in the district.
Previously, on Sunday, the NDRF had deployed seven teams—five in Mumbai and one each in Ratnagiri and Raigad districts—following an orange alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). As of Wednesday morning, an additional 10 teams were being deployed in coastal districts and Western Maharashtra. The district-wise distribution of NDRF teams is as follows: Sindhudurg (one team), Ratnagiri (two teams in Chiplun area), Raigad (two teams in Mahad area), Mumbai (five teams), Thane (two teams), Palghar (one team), Kolhapur (two teams), Satara (one team). Moreover, one team has been stationed in Nagpur to address any potential situations in Vidarbha, while another team remains at the NDRF headquarters in Sudumbare, Pune, primarily due to heavy rains in the Ghat areas of the district.
The NDRF teams have been coordinating with local administrations and authorities in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas. They have devised action plans for each region. On Monday evening, there were reports of rising water levels in low-lying areas of Chiplun town.
The 5th Battalion of the NDRF is based in Sudumbare near Talegaon in Pune district and consists of 18 teams, each comprising 45 personnel. These teams are equipped with boats, rescue equipment, and include members with expertise in engineering, paramedics, technical skills, and even a dog squad. The team configurations are adjusted based on the specific nature of the emergency.