Mandali:
India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is actively leading efforts as part of Operation Bhuma with rescue and relief operations in Myanmar.
The country is currently recovering from the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake on March 28, after which India was the first respondent in the time of crisis, providing significant assistance to the country.
NDRF Deputy Commander Kunal Tiwari, who is overseeing the search and rescue operations, shared insight into the efforts on Wednesday.
Mr. Tiwari mentioned that the NDRF team consists of 80 personnel, which are supported by advanced canine and advanced equipment for rigging, lifting, cutting and bridging.
Despite the challenges, Mr. Tiwari expressed confidence in his readiness to overcome him. He also highlighted the expertise of the team in the management of recovery operation, including handling the recovery of mortal remains with dignity and honor.
“Our team has a total of 80 members. We have four canine and heavy team equipment such as rigging, raising, cutting and bridging. Our team is fully equipped,” he said.
The Deputy Commander of NDRF also talked about the significant support received from the local population of Myanmar and emphasized the strong bond between India and Myanmar, given that India has helped, while the people of Myanmar have shown heavy warmth and respect in turn.
“As India has taken one step forward to help Myanmar, the people of Myanmar have taken two steps forward with us. We get full support of them wherever we are going. So it is due to the connection between Myanmar and India that we are able to move forward with our work,” said Mr. Tiwari.
Regarding the Afferyx, Mr. Tiwari assured that the top priority for the security team. All personnel are equipped with individual safety equipment (PPE), and a thorough safety protocol, including the escape routes and safe areas, is strictly followed before starting any work.
“Security is our principle first. We have all trained for it. We all have a good PPE, which gives us local protection. Before starting any work, we mark the escape path properly and safe area; inform the security officer,” he said.
Mandalay, the most difficult city from the earthquake, is divided into four regions: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta. Delta sector, which is the most affected area, is under India’s responsibility and has seen significant intervention, 11 of the 15 designated work sites in India have been covered.
A local Myanmar monk expressed his deep praise for India’s efforts, stating that he was satisfied and grateful for the assistance provided. Another local, Hussain, also thanked, in which the arrival of the Indian team was described as a source of great relief.
He said, “We got a sense of relief when you came. You (Indian) are very hardworking people. We are very happy and in peace. We have taken great advantage of the arrival of NDRF. God can bless India and his leadership,” he said.
As part of Operation Brahma, India has already given 625 metric tons of humanitarian aid and disaster relief material to Myanmar till Tuesday.
The operation reflects India’s commitment to being the first respondent in the field, providing necessary discovery and rescue, medical aid and disaster relief in view of the 28 March earthquake.
Operation Brahma is a comprehensive effort that includes several branches of the Government of India, which addresses widespread devastation due to earthquakes and supports Myanmar’s recovery.
The Indian Army has also established a field hospital, which provides medical support to the people.
According to the release of the Indian Army, the medical team successfully conducted 23 surgery, more than 1,300 laboratory checks and 103 X-ray procedures till Thursday evening.
According to Al Jazeera, which cited the country’s television report, now more than 3,000 people have been confirmed in Myanmar as the army announced a trussian among the natural disaster.
(Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is published by a syndicated feed.)