Army goes hi-tech to tackle floods

With urban floods occurring with increasing regularity and with catastrophic consequences as seen in Mumbai (2005), Srinagar (2014) and in Chennai (2015), the Indian Army is embarking on a huge national level three-day exercise from June 28-30 in Guwahati where assets like unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and naval divers will be put into use in flood relief operations in an urban setting.

“UAVs will be used to detect people trapped in floodwaters and conduct reconnaissance of flood-affected areas from an elevated platform, engaging naval divers to rescue the affected, helicopters will be used for rescue and relief operations and distribution of relief material to inaccessible areas,” said Lt. Col. Suneet Newton, Army PRO in the Assam capital.

Guwahati, a city surrounded by hills and banked off by the Brahmaputra river, is prone to urban floods almost on an annual basis due to collection of rain water during the monsoons bringing life almost to a standstill and often claiming human lives.

The exercise was also prompted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s directions during the Combined Commanders Conference in 2015 to hold an Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Exercise incorporating all stakeholders including the Armed Forces, CAPF’s and the civil administration down to the Municipal Corporation level.

The aim of this exercise is to “war-game existing disaster management plans at state and district down to municipal level incorporating national observers under existing NDMA guidelines as related to urban flooding and incorporate armed forces into the disaster management framework for better synergy”. Urban floods are more devastating as there are developed catchment areas resulting in very quick flooding as compared to floods in rural areas. Also, urban floods come with the curse of numerous diseases and exposure to infection, besides crippling all economic activities.

Besides the Rangia-based Red Horn Division, the Eastern Air Command, 101 Area and Narangi-based 51 Sub Area, other participants will be the state administration, National Disaster Relief Force Units, Assam State Disaster Management Authority, Guwahati Municipal Corporation and Para Military Forces like CRPF and SSB.

The exercise will also include practicing of drills to provide succor to people stranded due to abnormal flooding of areas, rescue of marooned groups, provision of immediate medical aid, and even subsequent rehabilitation of the flood-affected people.