In a swift response to the request for assistance from the District Collector of Puducherry, Indian Army troops from the Chennai Garrison Battalion were deployed to aid in rescue operations in the flood-affected areas of Puducherry. This deployment occurred in the early hours of Sunday, highlighting the urgency and seriousness of the situation following the heavy rainfall triggered by Cyclone Fengal.
A specialized Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) column was mobilized for the mission, consisting of one officer, six junior commissioned officers, and 62 other ranks. Their departure from Chennai was part of a coordinated effort to alleviate the challenges faced by local authorities in the region.
Upon reaching Puducherry, Major Ajay Sangwan, the commander of the column, received a briefing on the ongoing situation. The focus of the rescue operations was primarily on the Krishnanagar area, where approximately 500 houses were reported to be submerged, with water levels in certain localities reaching about five feet. The column quickly mobilized to implement rescue efforts, commencing operations by 6 AM.
Within just two hours of initiating the rescue work, over 100 individuals trapped in the affected homes were successfully evacuated. The army’s intervention is expected to continue as the situation evolves, with additional resources and personnel on standby to provide further assistance.
The impact of Cyclone Fengal has left parts of Villupuram and Puducherry drenched, with reports indicating 50 centimeters of rainfall within a span of just 21 hours. This extreme weather event has necessitated urgent action, and the army’s involvement underscores the collaborative efforts in disaster response between military and civil authorities aimed at safeguarding the lives of those affected by the flooding.
