Kodagu towards normalcy, rescue teams return to bases

After their yeoman service in rescuing about hundreds of people from floods and landslide-hit areas, personnel from National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), 15 Dogra Regiment and Madras Engineer Group left Madikeri on Monday.

The rescue teams, along with volunteers and other task forces, conducted several operations and built makeshift bridges and ropeways to save lives. At many places, they had to dig through rubble to recover bodies of victims who could not escape the disaster.

“Some of the interior regions were treacherous as landfall had made it difficult to access them. Senior citizens and those in need of medical attention were carried by the personnel,” said Colonel Narendra Ola, who monitored the 70-member team of 15 Dogra Regiment, led by Major Vishwas Subba.

He added, the best part of their work was when the personnel distributed school bags and solar lamps to about 350 children. “Seeing smile on the faces of the children was a very positive experience for us. It (helping children in distress) was indeed a big high,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner P I Sreevidya thanked the team for their quick response and timely service at a simple send-off event.