Madikeri: Following forecast of heavy rains for a few days in the Kodagu district, a team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel have landed in the district to take up precautionary measures.

The team from the NDRF 10th battalion from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, which arrived at Kushalnagar yesterday evening, was received by District Disaster Management Officer R.M. Ananya Vasudev.

A total of 25 NDRF personnel led by NDRF Commandant Shiya Jayakumar have arrived and they have been provided accommodation at the District Industrial Training Centre Hostel near Kudige in Kushalnagar.

NDRF sources said that additional personnel will be summoned if necessary, who added that 23 NDRF personnel were deployed last year. The NDRF team will return from the district after the monsoon season ends. If there are natural calamities, personnel from the Police Department, Fire and Emergency Services, Home Guards, Revenue Department, Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) from local Gram Panchayats, rafters from Dubare and vehicles identified by the District Administration will join the NDRF team in conducting rescue operations.

The NDRF team which arrived in two trucks, have undergone training in rescue operations during floods, landslides and other natural calamities. This apart, the team has also arrived with rescue equipment such as life jackets, motor boats, rafts, wood chopping equipment, ropes, search lights, cutters, oxygen cylinders, stretchers, life saving medicines and other rescue equipment in case of emergencies to rescue people and animals.