Flood Rescue Mock Drill Conducted in Shivnath River

Raipur, Sept 2025 : A state-level flood rescue mock drill was conducted today in the Shivnath River in Durg district to assess preparedness for dealing with flood disasters, under the guidelines of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Government of India. The Civil Defence Department demonstrated all flood rescue resources available at the district level.

The drill began under the command of Incident Commander and ADM Abhishek Agrawal. Following his instructions, teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) entered the river and carried out live rescue operations to evacuate villagers to safety.

The scenario simulated heavy rainfall causing the river to overflow, forcing villagers to cross the river using wooden rafts or small boats. When one boat capsized, people were shown struggling in the water. Rescue teams used motorboats, scuba diving, underwater cameras, life jackets, lifebuoys, Aska lights, Pelican lights, and searchlights to conduct rescue operations.

The teams rescued people trapped in strong currents, villagers stranded on trees, and those cut off due to a collapsed bridge. Some villagers who had fallen into the river were saved through prompt action. Even a boat carrying team members was overturned during the exercise, and they were safely evacuated. Drowning victims were administered first aid, CPR, and deep diving rescue techniques.

Collector Abhijit Singh praised the readiness of SDRF and NDRF, stating that such drills enable swift and coordinated action during disasters. He added that villagers were also trained to create makeshift rafts using household items like tin containers, utensils, drums, earthen pots, and tubes, and to use airtight water bottles as temporary life jackets.

As part of the mock drill, a relief camp was set up at the Panchayat Training Centre in Anjora, providing shelter, food, and medical facilities for flood-affected people. Arrangements were also made for medicines and fodder for livestock from affected villages.

The event was attended by Additional Collector Virendra Singh, ASP Abhishek Jha, Civil Defence Commandant Nagendra Singh, Joint Collectors Harvansh Singh Miri and Smt. Silli Thomas, Deputy Collector Lovkesh Dhruv, Hitesh Pisda, Uttam Dhruv, Dr. C.B.S. Banjare and his team, along with officials from various departments, personnel from SDRF, Civil Defence, and a large number of villagers.