5 teams set up for rescue operations

Vijayawada: Krishna district police are gearing up to take up rescue operations along the Krishna river and other parts of district as rivers and rivulets can overflow causing inundation this rainy season. Flooding is very common in many areas of the district particularly the downstream of Prakasam Barrage in rainy season.

Though the State and Central governments have vast network to face disaster and take up rescue operations, the district police, too, are gearing up to help the people during disasters. The recent boat accidents and loss of lives in Godavari river once again underlined the need to take precautionary measures to check boat accidents particularly in the big rivers like Krishna and Godavari.

Keeping in view of the need for protection of lives of boat passengers and other affected people in the floods, Krishna district Superintendent of Police Sarvasresth Tripathi has constituted five teams in five sub-divisions of the district. Each team comprises 15 members.

These teams are equipped with cutters, ropes, life jackets, torch lights, first aid kits and other equipment used in rescue operations. In addition to five special teams, 30 police personnel from Armed Reserve also deployed for the special duty in the rainy season.

These special teams create awareness among people in the flood prone areas and keep a vigil on the boats, which are used for ferrying people in Krishna river. People living in both Krishna and Guntur districts use country made boats and steamers to cross the river.

In case of overloading these boats can be capsized. The recent incidents in Godavari river once again underlined the need to take precautionary measures to check accidents. Sub-inspectors will supervise these teams.

These five teams will use mikes to create awareness among the boat operators and passengers and prevent overloading of passengers. They also verify the fitness certificates of boats and life jackets available in the boats.

National Disaster Response Force teams and State Disaster Response and Fire (SDRF) services teams in the state are ready to take up rescue operations in case of major disasters. Now, the district police, too, are gearing up to prevent disasters and take up rescue operations.