Bhubaneswar: Lending a helping hand to flood-ravaged Kerala, Odisha government on Saturday sent a team of specialised Fire Services officials to assist in the rescue and relief operations. At least 357 people have lost their lives in Kerala, which has been said as the worst flood the state has faced in 100 years.
Expressing concern over #KeralaFloods, CM @Naveen_Odisha pressed in to assisting rescue ops an Odisha contigent of 245 fire personnel, led by the Chief Fire Officer. Trained and experienced in flood rescue, the team is carrying 75 boats & necessities like BA sets. pic.twitter.com/Xzv1kG0uFM
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) August 18, 2018
The special team comprising 225 fire personnel, 15 supervisors and other officers left for Kerala with 75 power boats, underwater equipment, solar search lights, 137 life buoy, 10 tower lights and other modern equipment in a special Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft. All the 245 fire personnel roped in for assistance are specially trained and have experience in flood rescue.
BK Sharma, Director General of Fire Services and Commandant General (home guards) and Director of Civil Defence said that the state government decided to send the team after a request from the Centre.
“It is a matter of pride for Odisha that the team is being sent for relief in Kerala. Our team had won praise for its rescue and relief works during the Cyclone ‘Hudhud’ in Andhra Pradesh. I hope our fire personnel would live up to the reputation in the Kerala flood operation,” said Sharma.
Meanwhile, a four-member team has also been sent to Kerala from the labour department to facilitate measures to get back the stranded people from Odisha.