Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) - 4th Battalion, Arakkonam, and the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services, Vellore, conducted mock drills to demonstrate evacuation and rescue methods during earthquakes, firefighting techniques, rescue methods and ways to stay safe during disasters, on the occasion of International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction.
The programme, which was inaugurated by Collector A. Shanmuga Sundram on Sunday, was conducted at the Nethaji Stadium in Vellore. He flagged off a rally by school students on safety during disasters from the town hall near the Old Bus Stand.
Firefighters demonstrated methods to tackle blazes created due to oil and short circuits. They demonstrated how injured people trapped in a multistorey building could be safely rescued by using ladders or ropes. They provided helpful tips on how to tackle if someone’s garments caught fire and how to treat burn with clean cold water.
On the other hand, the NDRF personnel took students to the places of disasters like earthquakes, with real-time models and made them understand the necessity to behave with alacrity during evacuation at a disaster site or any other accident sites.
In his address, Mr. Shanmuga Sundram told residents of Vellore that the district featured on the list of places at risk of earthquakes and that they have to be prepared to tackle such an eventuality with smartly. He urged them to be alert during rainy days with essential items.
Waterbodies encroached
The Collector pointed out the re-emerging trend of encroaching upon waterbodies despite the government’s effort to relocate them to a safer locality. This was done to keep them safe during floods, he said.
He said a rainfall of 17 cm left many areas of Vellore inundated for a few days. This was because of encroachments in water catchment areas around the city. Efforts were on to identify and relocate the inhabitants of such areas to safer locations. People need to cooperate with district administration in this endeavour, Mr. Shanmuga Sundram added.
