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Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday visited the State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF) office located at Home Guard headquarters in Bhopal to review the rescue and relief operations being carried out in districts affected by heavy rainfall.
During the review, CM Yadav interacted virtually with rescue personnel deployed in affected areas as well as local residents who had been rescued. He directed officials to accelerate rescue operations and ensure all possible assistance to people affected by the rains. Speaking to reporters, the CM said rescue teams have so far saved the lives of 527 people stranded in various parts of the state due to rising water levels and heavy rainfall. "Although rainfall has been 15 per cent below normal due to the effect of El Nino, there are areas where heavy rain is being reported. I am satisfied that rescue teams have saved the lives of 527 people, including citizens, villagers and farmers who were stranded in houses, huts and offices along with their cattle. Yesterday, seven people including Kanwariyas were rescued in Khandwa. Rescue operations were carried out both during the day and at night, while arrangements were also being made to provide food to people who had been stranded," CM Yadav said. The Chief Minister directed authorities to coordinate with neighbouring districts and deploy additional resources in case multiple rescue operations were required in a particular district. He also said that air ambulances would be deployed wherever necessary. "The government stands with the people in times of disaster. I would also appeal to residents living near rivers and in areas prone to waterlogging to exercise caution and avoid putting their lives at risk," he said. The CM further said, "I interacted with the people who were rescued through the Home Guards Department and spoke to them from the control room. I also spoke with those who carried out the rescue operations and directed the officials to continue working with the same efficiency during the remaining period of the monsoon. It is also a glorious aspect of our force that, in most places, they successfully carry out rescue operations and achieve success in saving people." Referring to a recent incident in Rajgarh, CM Yadav said that even when the water level over a bridge is relatively low, attempting to cross it can be dangerous. He appealed to people not to drive through bridges or culverts covered with water and directed district administrations to make arrangements to prevent vehicles from entering such areas. Meanwhile, Director General of Home Guards, Pragya Richa Shrivastava, said the Chief Minister reviewed the preparedness of the disaster management machinery and interacted with rescue teams and people who had been saved during recent operations. "The Chief Minister wanted to assess the situation in areas that have received heavy rainfall as well as those that have not received much rain. Our department primarily deals with disaster management, so he wanted to assess our level of preparedness. He also wanted to speak to people who had been rescued in various operations and to encourage our teams deployed at different locations. The entire interaction was conducted through video conferencing. The Chief Minister spoke to the people who had been rescued, as well as our teams. He also interacted with members of the public associated with us as Civil Defence volunteers and Aapda Mitra volunteers," Shrivastava said. She said the state government has been encouraging teams involved in successful rescue operations through the 'Mukhyamantri Adamya Sahasik Yojana'. "Last year, 11 teams were given a reward of Rs 51,000. This year too, teams that are doing good work will be rewarded. The Chief Minister has also announced rewards for three civilians who helped during rescue operations. Apart from this, the CM had also directed to increase the risk allowance provided to Home Guards personnel, which is currently at a very low level," Shrivastava said. (ANI)
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