Goan lifeguards team leaves for Bihar

Panaji, Sep 4 (UNI) Two Indian Airforce Transport planes today airlifted a 45-member team of well-trained and highly equipped lifeguards of the Goa government to the flood-ravaged Purnia district of Bihar for undertaking rescue operations.

Confirming this to UNI, a highly-placed defence source said the rescue team along with boats and other life saving material, including jackets was airlifted by two AN-32 transport aircraft of the Indian Airforce at about 0930hrs.

Meanwhile, state tourism director Elvis Gomes told UNI that three more boats had been kept on standby near the Dabolim airport at the disposal of the Indian airforce for airlifting to the affected areas of Bihar.

The government had acted in response to the distress call from the National Disaster Management Authority, directing the Defence Ministry to airlift the lifeguards and the rescue boats from Goa.

Another cargo plane of the Airforce also airlifted 15 bags and six member lifeguards belonging to Drishti Special Response Services, specialised in the emergency tasks from Mumbai today, he said.

It was only recently that the lifeguards team was constituted and trained under Australian experts for the Goa Tourism Development Corporation, for enforcing a comprehensive beach security plan from October tourist season this year.

Alarmed over the criticism over the galloping death toll of tourists at Goan beaches, the GTDC took the initiative by engaging the services of the Mumbai-based Drishiti Special Response Services for constituting the lifeguards.

UNI BM RN RL KP1230