Contingents of the Services and the NDRF swung into action on Friday to assist the administration in relief operations in rain-wrecked Kerala.
The Army deployed eight columns in the disaster-hit districts of Idukki, Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram. A column of Army troops from Pangode in Thiruvananthapuram carried out rescue operations in Idukki with a transit base at Adimali. The Defence Security Corps, Kannur, also sent a column to Idukki. The DSC dispatched four more columns to Iritty, Thamarassery, Wayanad and Malappuram. The rescue operations at Vythiri and Panamaram in Wayanad, which was badly hit by landslips and flash floods, were controlled by an officer in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
In Kozhikode, the DSC personnel cleared roadblocks to ease the flow of water. They constructed temporary bridges at Thamarassery and other places. Inclement weather slowed their progress and they took about eight hours to travel some 46 km. Two columns from the Madras Engineer Group in Bengaluru and a column from Hyderabad also joined the rescue efforts in several parts in the State, including at Chendamangalam in Ernakulam. The Air Force pressed into service two helicopters, a Mi-17 and an Advanced Light Helicopter, from the Sulur air base for search and rescue. An AN-32 aircraft was flown from Arakkonam to airlift NDRF personnel for bolstering rescue efforts.
The Navy, which had launched its Operation Madad on Thursday, airlifted a diving team with a Gemini inflatable boat to Kalpetta for rescue operations. Two teams with Gemini boats got down to work at Kalpetta and Panamaram in Wayanad and evacuated about 55 people till noon on Friday. Another team airlifted by a Seaking helicopter to Kalpetta carried rescue gear and two electric generators, as requested by the District Collector. The Southern Naval Command in Kochi also dispatched two diving teams to Aluva to augment rescue efforts.
A naval spokesperson said a fresh team was likely to be sent to Idukki. Already, two teams were on standby at Aluva, he said. A 50-member contingent was positioned at the Naval Armament Depot at Aluva fully equipped for all sorts of assistance. The Naval Hospital, INHS Sanjivani was ready to extend medical assistance as required and all preparations towards setting up community kitchen by naval personnel from INS Venduruthy had also been made, if needed. Naval helicopters ferried divers, diving tools, axes and relief material.
The Coast Guard district headquarters at Fort Kochi deployed a team at Chelamattom village close to the Cochin International Airport for relief ops. “Another team has been positioned at Aluva under the District Collector. There’s a third team on standby at Alappuzha. All teams are equipped with boats and rescue gear,” said a Coast Guard official. Chelamattom, where over a lakh devotes are expected at a temple on Saturday for Vavu Bali, was being readied for the ritual with Coast Guard’s support.
The NDRF deployed a total of 37 personnel, mostly at Aluva, where a huge crowd is expected for the Vavu Bali ritual. While the Shiva Temple is still under water, arrangements were being made for people to make the bali offering to forebears. The NDRF contingent also brought with it 40 life jackets, 20 lifebuoys and ropes. An expert scuba diving team was also available.
