Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Saturday sent a special team to bring back Odia labourers trapped in the flood-hit districts of Kerala.
About 140 Odia labourers are reportedly trapped in the flood-hit areas of Munnar, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Alappuzha districts.
“I have the information that several Odia labourers are marooned at different places in the flood-hit districts of Kerala. They contacted me over phone and requested for help. A four-member team led by the Assistant Labour Commissioner, Khurda, has already left for the southern Indian state to rescue the stranded labourers. Special provision would be made for their return to the state once rescued. If necessary, they would be brought in a special train,” Labour and Employees’ State Insurance minister Susanta Singh told mediapersons here.
Meanwhile, the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) has started a toll-free helpline number 1070 and a paid helpline number 0674-2534177 for the trapped Odia labourers to contact their family members.
Briefing mediapersons here, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethy said the officials of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Friday evening had requested the state government to provide some power boats for relief and rescue operations in the flood-hit districts of Kerala.
“Considering the request, we have sent 75 power boats and a team of 243 Fire Service personnel, including crew members, support staff and supervising staff to Kerala. The team will work under the Kerala government. It will be engaged in rescue and relief operations in several flood-hit areas. The team will be carrying several equipments including breathing apparatus sets have also been sent,” the SRC added.
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