Fire and Rescue Services and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), conducted a drill on Saturday near the Thamirabarani river in Tirunelveli as part of preparedness for the northeast monsoon season.
The exercise was held on the riverbank at Kokkirakulam, opposite the Tirunelveli Collectorate.
District Collector Anand Mohan was present at the drill in which modern rescue equipment were deployed.
Fire and rescue personnel demonstrated how to rescue people swept away by floodwaters, use rubber boats to reach those stranded and provide first aid and medical assistance to victims.
They also explained how people could protect themselves during floods using readily available materials and make makeshift floats from household items to escape from inundated homes.
Scuba divers and trained fire service volunteers also took part in the exercise.
NDRF personnel demonstrated how to rescue people trapped in floodwaters and those stranded in elevated locations using rubber boats.
School and college students who witnessed the drill were shown equipment used by the Fire and Rescue Services and briefed on safety measures to follow during disasters. A large number of students and members of the public attended the programme.
The exercise was organised to strengthen preparedness for the northeast monsoon, which typically begins in late October and brings a significant share of Tamil Nadu’s annual rainfall.
