Indian Coast Guard saves 215 lives in water-logged areas of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka- In pics

The Indian Coast Guard has saved 215 lives in rescue and relief operations in water-logged areas of Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka, an official statement said on Sunday (July 25).

The Indian Coast Guard, at the request of civil authorities, dispatched Disaster Relief Teams (DRTs) with inflatable Gemini boats and life-saving gear to the affected areas, the National Disaster Response Force said in a statement.

The DRTs reached areas rendered unapproachable due to water inundation, especially in Chiplun and Mahad areas of Maharashtra and Umlijoog, Khargejoog, Bodjug Island and Kinnar village in Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka, "and with dedicated efforts evacuated the stranded persons to safety and provided required relief material", it said.

In Goa, Coast Guard aircraft have undertaken aerial assessment of Ganjem Dam, Usgaon and Codli areas, and its helicopter had air-dropped approx 100 kg of relief materials, including food packets and drinking water, for the stranded people.

"The ICG efforts have translated into saving 215 precious lives under the current rescue operation till to date across these three states," the statement said.

The services of the Coast Guard air station at Ratnagiri are also being extended to Indian Navy and Indian Air Force aircraft for airlifting of NDRF teams, relief material, and facilitating rescue operations across the affected regions.

"In addition to the already deployed teams, the Coast Guard DRTs, as well as ships and aircraft, are standby at high readiness for immediate mobilization for exigencies, if any and a close coordination with local administration is being maintained," the statement said.

According to tentative estimates, over 2,000 big and small vehicles, including trucks, tempos, cars, and scooters, were stuck or damaged in the floods and were seen piled up at various locations in the affected regions.

A flooded area of Chiplun town as downpour continues in the entire coastal belt of Maharashtra. State transport buses submerged underwater amid heavy rains. 

The power and communication departments are engaged in restoring power supply in many places which were either snapped or disconnected as a precaution, besides repairing the mobile towers to restore phone and internet services.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have spoken to Uddhav Thackeray and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and offered full help for the flood victims. Shah also met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to coordinate the rescue efforts through the armed forces.