Malin 10 years on: Part 2 | Officer who led NDRF search recalls a sketch of site, profound pain they felt

Avasthy is currently DIG of CRPF for the South Kashmir Operational Range at Awantipora in Pulwama and between January 2009 and August 2015, he was on deputation to the NDRF and commanded the 5th Battalion, which is headquartered in Talegaon near Pune.

Speaking about how the NDRF was roped in, Avasthy said, “At 10.45 am on July 30, 2014, we received a call from the Pune District Magistrate Office. The incident had taken place around 8.20 am. We got to know later that a bus driver who reached the area could not see the village. He had then travelled back to the main road and informed the administration.”

“The NDRF has a culture of keeping one ‘on wheel team’ ready, which is ready to move at a moment’s notice. I first moved our first fully equipped team comprising 50 personnel. The team reached the disaster site at 2.30 pm. We only knew that we were responding to a major disaster but no details were available. Our teams were equipped with cutting and digging tools, they comprised paramedics and doctors, and a canine team. The team was briefed to conduct three types of searches — canine search, technical search using life detectors and manual search. It was very difficult for our vehicles to reach the site because of the small approach road which was blocked by a large number of other vehicles. Our teams had to walk five kilometers with our equipment and supplies in hand. That, I believe, was a key lesson learnt on the first day — keeping access routes open is crucial,” remembers Avasthy.

When asked how did the actual search and rescue begin, he said, “We were facing a huge mass of slush and mud on a slope, four to five metre debris and grieving villagers searching for their family members. There was total chaos. We approached an elderly man for help, we made a sketch of the disaster site that included possible locations of the houses under the debris and those of the people trapped. At this point there was no communication link between Malin village and the rest of the world. Upon reaching, NDRF established a High Frequency radio communication, which as I look back was the first communication from the site which helped us relay crucial info to our headquarters and district admin.”

Avasthy said that upon reaching the site their team found that with a total of seven hamlets, Malin at the time had a population of 700. It was the main hamlet of the village that was buried under the debris and had a population of 181. Of the total 70 houses in the main hamlet, 46 houses were affected.

“After canine search we deployed life detectors. In this process, we were able to detect eight victims alive within the first two and half hours of operation. These people had survived because their houses were not completely covered by the debris. 151 people were still missing. We continued the manual search and 48 hours into the operation, we started the use of earthmovers. The operation went on for eight days. Around 5 pm on July 30 we took out the last living person and we concluded the operation around 7 pm on August 6. We recovered 146 bodies. We also recovered multiple body parts, which, with the assistance of medical professionals, were identified as belonging to five individuals, totaling 151 deceased.” Avasthy said.

Speaking of the high risks of the operations, Avasthy said, “Another landslide remained a risk and safety of all responders was a concern. We established an observation post on a hill. After a while bodies started decomposing and there was a high chance of infections. We started wearing PPE kits. All this amidst heavy incessant rains and high possibility of flooding. We removed around 6000 cubic metres of debris. But the operation was about not just these numbers but we were dealing with grieving villagers who had lost loved ones and were seeking closure and answers.”

“This sensitive operation comprised 360 officers and personnel of the NDRF. These teams worked in three shifts of 120 each and our teams lived on the campus of a nearby school. This was arguably one of the biggest landslides NDRF has responded to. There was excellent synergy between the local administration, government bodies, NGOs and we received immense support and respect from people.” Avasthy said.

When asked what were thoughts going through his and his team members’ minds, “We were all in profound pain but were making efforts to put up a strong face. With a very heavy heart we were offering out sympathies and support and respect from those in pain, helped us keep going.”