The Fire and Rescue Services Department remains strapped up to meet any emergency in the district in the wake of the release of large volumes of water from the Cheruthoni dam.
The department has deployed 220 men on the field, with special arrangements being made across fire stations at Kothamangalam, Perumbavoor, Angamaly, Aluva, North Paravur, and Eloor. Fifty fire fighters have been deployed at Kothamangalam, 40 each at Angamaly and Aluva, and 30 each at Perumbavoor, North Paravur, and Eloor. This is in addition to one company police made available exclusively for the assistance of fire fighters, thus effectively taking the number of hands at the disposal of the force to around 300. Fire personnel who are undergoing training at the Fire Service Academy, Viyyur, have also been recalled in view of the emergency situation.
R. Prasad, Director (technical), Kerala Fire and Rescue Services Department, remains stationed at Aluva to monitor the situation and supervise rescue and relief work whenever warranted.
“The water level in Periyar did not rise on Friday evening since it was low tide. It is during high tide at night that things change. However, we have made all arrangements to meet any eventuality,” said Mr. Prasad who undertook a tour of the low-lying areas of the district on Friday.
A special control room has been opened at Aluva fire station. Eleven scuba vans, 10 ambulances, 13 rubber dinghies, and 12 inflatable tower lights have been kept ready at all the six fire stations. Besides, sufficient number of life jackets, life buoys, rope, chainsaw, search lights, stretchers, and generators have also been stored at the fire stations.
In view of the crisis in Idukki following the opening of all the five shutters of the Cheruthoni dam, as many as 140 firemen have been deployed at Idukki, Thodupuzha, Moolamattom, Munnar, Kattappana and Adimali stations. Besides, squads are on standby at six locations, including Cheruthoni, Thadiyanpadu, Karimban, Vimalagiri, Keerithodu, and Panamkutty. The operations wing of the fire force in the district can be reached at 94979-20141.
