Mumbai rains: From May 25 to 26, two teams — Team 05(K) and Team 05(F) — were deployed to Baramati and Indapur in Pune district after flooding in low-lying areas. However, local agencies rescued the stranded individuals (seven in Baramati and two in Indapur), so the teams were rerouted.
National Disaster Response Force teams conduct rescue operations amid heavy rainfall in the state. Pics/By Special Arrangement
As Maharashtra braces for the full impact of the 2025 monsoon, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has swung into action with preemptive deployments and emergency operations across the state. In a conversation with mid-day, Santosh Bahadur Singh, commandant of the 5th Battalion NDRF Pune, outlines ongoing rescue efforts, high-risk zones, urban flood readiness, and upgraded tech being deployed to tackle the crisis.
Could you share data on the number of rescue operations carried out by NDRF in Maharashtra since the onset of the monsoon?
From May 25 to 26, two teams — Team 05(K) and Team 05(F) — were deployed to Baramati and Indapur in Pune district after flooding in low-lying areas. However, local agencies rescued the stranded individuals (seven in Baramati and two in Indapur), so the teams were rerouted.
Later, a team was redirected to Phaltan tehsil in Satara after the Banganga river crossed danger levels. Another team conducted a midnight rescue in Kurubavi village, Malshiras tehsil, Solapur, saving six people — three men, two women, and a child — stranded across a river.
How many NDRF teams are currently deployed across Maharashtra?
A total of 18 teams from the 5th Battalion are strategically positioned across the state for rapid response. There are12 teams at Pune HQ, three in Mumbai, two in Nagpur and one in Palghar. Due to ongoing heavy rain, three more teams were deployed on May 26 to Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Thane.
By May 27, 10 of 12 Pune-based teams will be actively operating in the field. Additionally, one team is handling post-fire operations at Jindal Polyfilms in Nashik. One more team is on standby at Pune HQ for rapid deployment.
Which districts are most vulnerable this season?
According to NDRF’s assessment, the most vulnerable districts include Pune, Kolhapur, Sangli, Sindhudurg, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Thane, Mumbai.
Santosh Bahadur Singh, commandant of the 5th Battalion, NDRF, Pune
What preparations has NDRF made ahead of the monsoon?
Strategic deployment: Teams pre-positioned across high-risk districts to reduce response time.
Equipment readiness: Rescue boats, diving kits, PPEs, and communication tools have been checked and stocked.
Coordination with authorities: Constant liaison with the State Disaster Management Authority, district administrations, and local bodies.
Mock drills and awareness: Conducted flood drills and community education drives in flood-prone regions.
Real-time coordination: NDRF representatives are stationed at the State Emergency Operations Centre in Mantralaya for faster coordination.
Capacity building: Training programmes, school safety workshops, and stakeholder sessions held in multiple districts.
Have there been any recent upgrades in the force’s urban flood response capabilities?
Singh: Yes, several enhancements have been introduced such as urban pre-positioning: Teams stationed in flood-prone urban localities for rapid response.
Advanced tech: Deployment of drones, specialised boats, and real-time tracking tools
Drone surveillance: Used in coordination with local authorities for aerial flood assessment.
Online coordination: Operations tracked through the indigenous BISAG platform.
Modern gear: Deep divers equipped with underwater cameras, body-worn cameras, and rescue-specific equipment.
What key challenges has the NDRF faced this monsoon?
Sudden flooding: Rapid breaches and heavy rainfall have caused instant inundation in several areas.
Simultaneous crises: Multiple district-level emergencies occurring at once have stretched manpower.
Terrain issues: Rugged geography, heavy rain, and river overflows have impacted team mobility and visibility.
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