Civil Defence dept puts boatmen, rescue teams & emergency vehicles in place to safeguard Kolkatans

Kolkata: The Disaster Management and Civil Defence department has taken up adequate preventive measures to combat the cyclone Fani, which is expected to hit various South Bengal districts on late Friday evening.

According to a Civil Defence official, all arrangements have been put in place in the coastal districts of the state, including the city. As many as 44 boats have been swung into action to handle emergency situations. Around 150 boatmen have been deployed in various districts, which include West Midnapore, East Midnapore, Jhargram, Hooghly, Howrah, North 24-Parganas, South 24-Parganas and Kolkata.

"The boatmen have been given special training on rescuing people in danger. They have also been imparted with police training. Civil Defence Rescue vehicles have already been pressed into action in various districts. Around 17 such vehicles equipped with various modern instruments have been engaged in the coastal districts. The rescue vehicles will have equipment needed to cut uprooted trees and rescue people from buildings in case of an emergency," a Civil Defence official said.

He also stated that as many as 34 quick response teams have been formed in various districts, including the city. Each rescue team comprises eight members who have special training in various fields related to disaster management. The teams have modern equipment to tackle the impending crisis.

It has also been learnt that 65 Nuliahs (divers) and fishermen have been deployed in Digha and Mandarmani in East Midnapore since Thursday. The Nuliahs have been kept in the coastal regions of the district, where they will keep an eye on the sea beaches. They may also voyage into the sea if the situation demands. The Nuliahs have special training to float in the sea and rescue people.

It may be mentioned all the disaster management and civil defence mechanisms have been put in place since Thursday. The district administration will decide how long the rescue teams and civil defence personnel will remain stationed in the districts. All the disaster management officials in the city have been alerted.