Guwahati on Wednesday bore witness to the biggest ever flood relief exercise in an urban setting.
The drill named ‘Excercise Jalrahat’ was conducted in Guwahati by the Armed Forces with the support of the government of Assam and Assam State disaster Management Authority.
Resources of various government authorities, along with Armed Forces were stressed to check for preparedness in the event of a flood along the banks of the Brahmaputra.
Assam’s new Chief Minister, Sarbanand Sonowal inaugurated the national level Flood Relief Exercise. This mega event was witnessed with much enthusiasm by the residents of Guwahati.
The mock drill started with an early warning of heavy rains and impending floods in the city. In its next phase, an aerial reconnaissance was conducted by the Cheetah helicopter of the Army Aviation.
The Major highlights of the mock drill included the employment of Indian Air Force Helicopters MI-17 and Indian Army Aviation, Advance Light Helicopters in multiple flood relief roles to include rescue of marooned people from places made inaccessible by flood waters.
In addition to this, naval divers of the Indian Navy, NDRF and SDRF displayed their expertise in flood relief and rescue.
The Helicopters of the Indian Army Aviation landed Elite troops of the Special Forces of the Indian Army to rescue trapped people.
The army also showed the locals how to use aids improvised from household things like tyre tubes to prepare themselves in the event of a flood.
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