Pune: 2 teams of NDRF airlifted to West Bengal in view of cyclone Amphan
Pune, May 21, 2020: Given evolving situation due to Cyclone ‘Amphan’ in Odisha and West Bengal, two teams of 5 Battalion, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), based in Pune district, were airlifted by Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft to Kolkata, West Bengal today at 7.24 pm from Pune air force station in Lohegaon.
NDRF officer Sadanand Gawde said, “This is a unique deployment for NDRF because teams will be facing two disasters simultaneously, one that of the visible Cyclone and another of the invisible COVID-19. Taking this into account teams have been equipped and sensitised accordingly.
NDRF has been training and equipping itself since the outbreak of COVID-19 to face and gear itself up for such complex emergencies. We have reformulated and tweaked our standard operating procedure (SOP) to operate in such situations. True to its motto of ‘Aapda Seva Saidaiv’ NDRF is ready for this challenge, and serve our countrymen.”
After wreaking havoc in West Bengal and Odisha on Wednesday, severe cyclonic storm Amphan has started slowing down. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that 72 people died in Bengal due to the cyclone. 5500 houses have been destroyed in the state, properties worth thousands of crores have been lost.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted and saw pictures of the devastation caused by the cyclone in Bengal. The whole country stands firmly with Bengal. Praying for the well being of the people of the state. No effort will be left to help the affected.
