SDRF gears up to fight floods in Bhagalpur

BHAGALPUR: The Bhagalpur district unit of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) conducted a mock drill on Saturday to check its preparedness for the likely floods. The theme of the mock drill was ‘Hain Taiyaar Hum (we are prepared)’.
The SDRF has also readied its inflatable rubber rescue boats, outboard motors and life jackets to meet any eventuality.
Company commander of district unit of SDRF, Ganesh Jee Ojha, said 35 members of the force, including three officers in the rank of sub-inspector from Army and Navy, and 31 trained jawans and divers have been geared up to conduct relief and rescue operations in case of floods.
“We have readied 18 inflatable rubber rescue boats. Our jurisdiction is vast and includes areas under Banka, Munger, Lakhisarai and Sheikhpura districts besides Naugachia police district,” Ojha said.
The SDRF personnel, after making surveys of the river embankments, suggested the locals to keep emergency usable articles like torch, spare batteries, strong ropes, matchboxes, candles, dried food items, medicines, waterproof bags, polythene, strong ropes and radio ready.
“People should not worry at all as we are there to help them,” Ojha said.
Meanwhile, Bhagalpur DM Subrat Kumar Sen visited several flood-prone zones in the district and directed the sub-divisional and block officials to get ready for the likely floods as the monsoon has already entered the state. Sen also reviewed the past incidences of floods in the district and gave necessary instructions to district officials.
Dr Birendra Kumar, a weather scientist at Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), said monsoon has entered Bihar and Bhagalpur in particular from northern Kosi and southern regions. “Smart and heavy rainfall is expected in the next few days, which may lead to rise in water levels in the Ganga and Kosi,” he added.