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‘Stay alert’: NDRF flags Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Konkan as vulnerable spots in monsoon

In an interview, National Disaster Response Force Commandant Santosh Bahadur Singh talks about the force's operations, challenges and preparations to deal with emergency situations in Maharashtra during the monsoon.

Santosh Bahadur Singh, the Commandant of the 5th Battalion of NDRF. (Express Photo)

With the earlier-than-usual monsoon hitting Maharashtra and causing flooding in its various parts where rescue operations had to be carried out, Santosh Bahadur Singh, Commandant, 5th Battalion, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), talks to Mohamed Thaver about the force’s preparation to handle emergencies and how its safety equipment has been upgraded.

So far in the first few days of the monsoon, how many rescue operations were carried out by NDRF in Maharashtra?

In the first two days after the monsoon hit Maharashtra, on May 25 and 26, two NDRF teams were initially deployed to Baramati and Indapur in Pune district following a breach in waterbodies that led to severe inundation of several low-lying residential areas.

The teams rescued seven stranded individuals in Baramati and two in Indapur.

Another team carried out a midnight rescue operation in Solapur district, where it successfully rescued six individuals who were stranded across a river.

How many NDRF teams are currently deployed across Maharashtra?

Eighteen teams of NDRF Battalion 5 are strategically positioned across Maharashtra to ensure swift and effective emergency response. Three teams are stationed in Mumbai, two in Nagpur, and one at Palghar, three teams were deployed on May 26 at Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Thane districts, where they remained ready to respond to any emergency.

Seven more teams have been mobilised to high-risk locations in Satara, Kalyan-Thane, Kolhapur, Sangli, Sindhudurg, and two critical zones in Mumbai—Kurla and Ghatkopar.

These placements are designed to minimise response time and enhance preparedness for any emergency in surrounding areas.

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Which districts have been identified as the most vulnerable this season?

Pune, Raigad, Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Kolhapur, Sangli, Thane, and Mumbai are some of the districts that we have identified as the most vulnerable during the monsoon.

What specific preparations has the NDRF undertaken ahead of the monsoon in the region?

In anticipation of the monsoon season, we have undertaken a few initiatives like strategic pre-positioning of teams, advance deployments in high-risk zones, coordination with state and local authorities and conducting mock drills and community awareness in vulnerable regions across the state to enhance public preparedness. We have also placed our representative at the State Emergency Operations Centre at Mantralaya for the real-time and quick flow of information for any potentially developing situation for flooding.

Are there any recent additions or upgrades to the force’s capabilities in view of increasing floods?

Yes, we are using advanced technology like drones for surveying and sensitising flood-prone urban areas, using specialised rescue boats, real-time tracking to improve flood rescue operations, and enhancing night operations capability. In addition to this, our deep divers have the latest equipment, underwater cameras, and body-worn cameras, as per the situational requirement.

What have been the issues your men face when it comes to rescuing people?

Our men do face language and communication barriers as they are deployed in different regions and sometimes if they are from some other part, they face difficulty in interacting with the local population due to language differences.

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Further, during disasters, people panic. In such situations, people may not respond rationally or follow rescue instructions promptly, which delays evacuation and rescue efforts.

What message or tips would you give to people facing an emergency?

Stay calm and alert as panic can lead to poor decisions. Listen carefully to official warnings and instructions, follow evacuation orders, keep an emergency kit including water food, torch, and medicines ready and do not walk or drive through moving water during floods; even shallow water can be dangerous. Also, keep your mobile charged and share your location with family or emergency services if needed.

Mohamed Thaver

Mohamed Thaver is a highly specialized journalist with the Expertise and Authority required to report on complex law enforcement and legal issues. With a career dedicated to the crime beat for over a decade, his work provides readers with informed and trustworthy insights into Maharashtra's security and justice systems. Experience & Authority Core Focus: Has been exclusively covering the crime beat for over a decade, building deep, specialized knowledge in the field. Geographical Authority: Currently focuses heavily on law enforcement and policy in Maharashtra, providing authoritative coverage of the state's security apparatus. Key Beats: Law Enforcement: Reports on the operations of the Maharashtra Police and the Mumbai Crime Branch. Policy & Administration: Covers the Maharashtra Home Department, focusing on policy matters related to handling law and order and the evolution of the police force. Judiciary: Has significant past experience covering the courts, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the entire criminal justice process from investigation to verdict. Specialized Interest (Cyber & Forensics): Demonstrates Expertise in modern investigative techniques, with a keen focus on cyber crime and forensics, reporting on how these technologies assist complex crime investigations. Content Focus: His reports revolve around police probes, the evolution of the force, and state policy, ensuring his content is highly relevant and detailed. Credentials & Trustworthiness Mohamed Thaver’s long-standing specialization in the crime beat—combined with his focus on technological aspects like cyber crime and his direct coverage of major institutions like the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Maharashtra Home Department—underscores his Trustworthiness and status as an expert source for detailed and reliable journalism on law and order. He tweets @thaver_mohamed ... Read More

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National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF)