Monsoon preparations: Maha Govt seeks two helicopters

Gearing up for the monsoons, Maharashtra government has requested the Air Force to deploy two helicopters in the state to facilitate relief and rescue operations during the rainy season.

"We have written to the Air Force to give us two helicopters during the monsoon, to facilitate relief and rescue work during floods," a senior official from the Relief and Rehabilitation Department told PTI.

There is already a helicopter stationed in Mumbai and the others would be stationed at Talegaon near Pune and Amravati in Vidarbha region, the official said.

This would also help aid to reach the affected areas early, he added.

A pre-monsoon meeting held at the secretariat reviewed preparations in the state, discussed flood causes and identified flood-prone areas.

Over the last four years, damage due to floods has reduced, the officials said.

In 2005, the financial loss was Rs 8,577 crore while last year it was Rs 1,500 crore, he added.

Despite reduction in losses due to floods, the preparedness and response capacity of district administration needs to be enhanced for quick mobilisation, he said.

The government has also positioned 60 inflatable rubber boats in 60 urban areas like Mumbai, Ratnagiri, Jalgaon and Pune, he said.