NDRF, SDRF face flood rescue challenge: People refuse to leave homes

Upper Assam is experiencing one of its worst floods in six decades, and rescue teams from the NDRF and SDRF say the biggest challenge is not reaching the stranded but convincing them to evacuate before conditions turn deadly. Kuldeep Sharma, second-in-command of the 1st Battalion NDRF, told The Assam Tribune that people understand the seriousness but wait until the last moment due to emotional attachment to their homes. He added that submerged terrain makes navigation and rescue far more difficult.

Aditya Borgohain, SDRF emergency rescuer, said many people in flood-prone areas do not prepare in advance despite awareness programmes. He urged residents to keep bamboo rafts and floating devices ready. On manpower, Borgohain noted that Assam has around 533 SDRF personnel and needs more, though the government inducts new members every year. Sharma said chaos and panic during multiple distress calls require experienced responders to prioritise women, children and the elderly.

Borgohain stressed that disaster preparedness in Assam should not be limited to floods, as the state is also earthquake-prone. The key message from both agencies: people must act on safety lessons and know their own limitations, especially before entering strong currents to rescue others.