09 August,2019 11:24 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
In this photograph taken on August 8, 2019, Indian Army personnel rescue people stranded in flood waters after heavy rains on the outskirts of Sangli in Maharashtra state. Pic/PTI
As the Sangli district in Maharashtra is reeling under floods, a dozen rescue teams of the Indian Navy are being deployed in Western Maharashtra. The rescue teams left for Sangli on Thursday night by road in the government transport vehicles. The Navy had to travel by road after their airlift was aborted due to unfavourable condition in Sangli and adjoining Kolhapur which is another flood-hit district.
A spokesperson from defence said, "Police escorts were provided for a green corridor till Sangli. These 12 Navy teams will be deployed today (Friday) in Sangli in addition to the teams already present in Kolhapur. Around two lakh people have been evacuated to safer places due to the floods that have wreaked havoc in five districts of Western Maharashtra with Sangli and Kolhapur being the worst-hit districts. Western Maharashtra is being pounded by rains incessantly over the last few days resulting in 27 deaths due to rain or flood-related incidents in the five districts, say officials.
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A press released by Indian Navy read, "The teams have been deployed using Indian Navy Dornier aircraft and ALH helicopters as well as the Indian Air Force MI-17 helicopters from Goa, Mumbai and Pune. Some teams had even proceeded by road when flying operations could not be undertaken. The naval rescue teams are equipped with Gemini rubber boats, loud hailers, first aid kits, life jackets and lifebuoys."
Many parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka are reeling under extensive flooding due to incessant rains and the Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy has mobilised considerable resources to provide assistance to state and district administrations of affected areas.
On Thursday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had conducted an aerial survey of Sangli and Kolhapur to take the stock of the situation.
Also Read: Army conducts rescue and relief operations in Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka
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