Latest news with #AndhraPradeshStateDisasterResponseForce
Time of India
30-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Four hours, 40 jawans and a complex rescue operation in Simhachalam
Visakhapatnam: Forty jawans from the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) displayed exceptional courage during a four-hour rescue operation at Simhachalam temple, where a wall collapsed in the queue lines early Wednesday morning. Using only their bare hands, the jawans worked tirelessly to save lives and retrieve bodies trapped under the debris. Their bravery stands out, as they were not originally assigned to rescue duties when the incident occurred. Responding to a distress call from the district collector, the jawans swiftly coordinated efforts to recover seven bodies and save two survivors from the wreckage. The personnel from the SDRF 16th battalion showed remarkable resilience and determination under adverse circumstances. Initially, 70 SDRF jawans were stationed at Lord Sri Varaha Lakshmi Nrusimha Swamy Pushkarini downhill, where devotees typically perform holy baths before visiting during Chandanotsavam. As devotee turnout was low, SDRF services were redistributed, with 35 jawans managing queue lines and 35 serving as backup. Head constable Dharma Rao and Ramakrishna extracted the first survivor from the debris shortly after arriving. "We lacked equipment at the queue lines. Our jawans used their hands to clear cement bricks and retrieve bodies. The substantial debris caused multiple fractures and severe injuries to the deceased. We rescued two people within 20 minutes," they stated. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Constable Prasad told TOI that they maintained hope for survivors even 90 minutes into the operation, believing people might still be alive under the collapsed wall. Reserve Inspector Ramakrishna noted his team's dedication and successful completion of expectations. "SDRF men are always ready for rescue operations. We completed 95% of the rescue operation before the second force arrived," he said. The SDRF team's swift response within 15 minutes of the wall collapse proved crucial in saving two lives. The 40 personnel worked diligently to recover six bodies before NDRF retrieved the final victim. Originally assigned to guard devotees at the Pushkarini, the 70-member team from the 16th battalion was reassigned to manage queue lines due to low turnout, with 35 jawans at the queue lines and the remainder as backup.
The Hindu
24-04-2025
- General
- The Hindu
APSDRF wins third prize in national-level rescue competitions
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Response Force (APSDRF) secured the third place at the national-level Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR) competitions, held at Ghaziabad. In all, eight teams participated in the final CSSR competitions and the APSDRF won the third prize, said IGP B. Rajakumari. Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta appreciated the APSDRF team on its achievement, said the APSDRF officials in a release on Thursday.
