As cyclone Biparjoy lashed Rajasthan badly, there came news from Bhagli Purohitan village of Ahor Tehsil in Jalore district that someone was stranded in the midst of a flooded road, on a small stretch of highland, trying to keep himself from drowning in the waters which were flowing on a dangerous level. The stretch where he had taken shelter looked like a little island in the midst of a swirling sea.
It was late evening when the district administration got information about it, and without wasting any time, they set about on a rescue operation in the darkness of the approaching night. Deputy SP and a SDRF team reached the spot and the person was successfully rescued with the help of a boat, just after sunrise.
This was but one rescue mission carried out by the Jalore District Administration under the leadership of District Collector Nishant Jain, IAS.
The entire district was badly hit by Biparjoy, causing heavy rainfall and flood. However, the crisis was effectively managed by the administration with the help of the police, NDRF and SDRF and Army, thereby setting an example of how to manage a natural disaster of that proportion.
Even the state Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot was quick to applaud the entire team for their good work. He himself visited the district and appreciated the District Administration.
WHAT HAPPENED
Between 16 and 19 June, out of a total of 10 tehsils of the district, two tehsils, including Ahor and Jalore, received about 600 mm rainfall while Sanchore, Chitalwana, Raniwada and Jaswantpura received more than 400 mm rainfall. The remaining tehsils also received 100 mm to 300 mm rainfall.
June 18 was the most difficult for the administration as maximum rainfall occurred on that day. It was equal to the average rainfall received yearly in the entire season of monsoon. This was the effect of the cyclone and it caused floods in almost the entire district.
PEOPLE RESCUED
It was indeed a difficult time for the whole region. However, thanks to the district administration, who with the help of the police, SDRF, NDRF and Army put together, rescued and saved 550 persons.
Other than this, more than 3800 evacuations were conducted through the local Patwaris, Village Development Officers, constable teams, also taking the help of village Sarpanch and public representatives, to protect the people living in the low-lying and submerged areas from any calamity after the storm. And, as heavy rain alert was still being issued, citizens were evacuated to safer places.
NIGHT RESCUE OF 62 PERSONS
Speaking to Indian Masterminds, Collector Nishant Jain shared that on 19 June, information was received that around 15-16 families were stranded due to the rising water level in a village in Raithal, Ahor. Immediately, the SHO, the Tehsildar and the SDM were directed to start rescue efforts. Two teams of SDRF were also dispatched to the spot.
However, the operation could not begin due to the high water level and absolute dark.
Considering the seriousness of the situation, the DM Mr Nishant Jain and the SP Ms Monika Sain reached the spot and started the operation in the middle of the night with the SDRF team and Army.
The situation was very difficult, but the SDRF teams showed great courage and were able to rescue a total of 62 people, including women and children, after making multiple rounds throughout the night with the help of JCBs and boats. As daylight came, the operation was continued by the army personnel, and 114 more people were taken to safe places. In a similar operation in Rasivas, four more people, stranded in floods, were rescued.
GREAT TEAM WORK
Mr. Jain is short of words to thank and appreciate the field officials – SDM, CO, BDO, TDR, EO, SHO and their teams. All departments demonstrated their commitment to duty, he said. He now urges all of them to maintain the same spirit for a few more days to successfully carry out the process of relief work and compensation distribution. Very proud of his entire team, he wishes them luck for the post-relief work.
