The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescued the lives of as many as eight devotees during the 12-day Godavari Maha Pushkaram, which concluded on Saturday.
In accordance with the requisition of the AP and Telangana State governments, the Home Ministry had deployed as many as seven NDRF teams comprising 280 rescuers, two medical officers, 25 paramedics and four officers from the 10{+t}{+h}Battalion.
“The forces were positioned at 12 ghats in East and West Godavari in AP, Adilabad, Khammam, Karimnagar and Nizamabad districts in Telangana, with necessary life-saving kits. NDRF rescuers saved eight persons after they slipped into the waters,” NDRF 10{+t}{+h}Battalion Commandant Prashant Dar said.
Deputy Commandant Santosh Kumar said the teams were deployed at VIP, Kotilingala and Siddhantam, Goshpadam and Pushkar ghats in AP and Dharmapuri, Kaleswaram, Basara, Pochampad, Bhadrachalam, Moti and Ram ghats in Telangana.
Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Response and Fire Services Department rescued seven persons at various ghats during the river festival.
Krishna District Fire Officer D. Niranjan Reddy said as many as 150 fire personnel, including 50 swimmers specially trained for the Pushkaram, were deputed from Krishna district.
While NDRF saved eight lives, AP State Disaster Response and Fire Services Department rescued seven pilgrims
