OPERATION VARSHA 21: ARMY COLUMNS IN ACTION FOR FLOOD RELIEF WITH MEDICAL TEAM IN MAHARASHTRA.
With the unprecedented rains and resultant heavy flow of water in various rivers, a number of areas in many states are likely to be impacted by floods. Presently the districts of Ratnagiri, Raigad, Pune, Satara and Kolhapur, and Sangli in Maharashtra have been affected. Indian Army based on a request by the civil administration has mobilized flood relief and rescue teams to assist the local administration in flood-affected areas.
A total of 15 relief and rescue teams comprising of troops from Aundh Military Station and Bombay Engineer Group based at Pune have been deployed overnight in affected areas of Ratnagiri, Kolhapur, and Sangli. These columns will be assisting the civil administration in the rescue of the local population stranded in submerged areas till normalcy is restored. Lt Gen JS Nain, GOC-In-C Southern Army stated that the Indian Army stands with people in these testing times and all assistance will be provided by the Army in the affected areas. The flood relief columns include engineering efforts and medical teams from Army for providing necessary first aid and medicines to locals being evacuated from flood-prone areas.