Flood rescue is not always about reaching those stranded; often, the bigger challenge is persuading people to evacuate before conditions turn life-threatening, say NDRF and SDRF personnel, as Upper Assam faced one of its worst floods in six decades. During the floods, rescue teams encountered difficult terrain, rising waters and chaotic situations, but said reluctance to evacuate and poor household preparedness remained major hurdles.
In this conversation with The Assam Tribune, Second-in-Command of the 1st Battalion NDRF Kuldeep Sharma and SDRF emergency rescuer Aditya Borgohain discuss the challenges of flood rescue, the importance of early preparedness, evacuation priorities and why community awareness can save lives. AT: What are some of the biggest challenges NDRF teams face during floods in Upper Assam?
Kuldeep Sharma: One of the biggest challenges is persuading people to leave their homes. They understand the seriousness of the situation but often wait until the last moment.
We understand their emotional attachment to their homes, which they may have built over many years. But when water is rising rapidly, leaving is often the safest option.
Another major challenge is the geography and topography. An area we may know well can look completely different once it is submerged, making navigation and rescue much more difficult.
SDRF rescuers navigate through floodwaters at night and evacuate people from an affected areaAT: How quickly NDRF respons when a flood situation suddenly deteriorates? Sharma: On August 19, one team was already positioned in the area and our alert team responded within around 20 minutes.
But a 20-minute response does not mean the rescue itself is instantaneous. Reaching an affected location during a flood can be extremely difficult because the geography changes completely.
AT: Once multiple distress calls come in, how do you decide who needs to be rescued first? Sharma: There are generally two kinds of situations.
One involves people who are genuinely in immediate danger, while the other involves people who may be panicking. Both may call for rescue and feel their situation is urgent.
Our personnel have to assess the actual level of danger and identify which areas require immediate attention. We prioritise accordingly, with women, children and elderly people generally given priority.
