City team rescues 83 from flooded Manor resort

Mumbai: A 19-member team from Mumbai rescued 33 picnickers and 50 staff of Silent Hills Resort, Manor, over 80 km from here, exposing Thane district's disaster preparedness on Sunday night. The team, with two boats and life-jackets, rescued the picnickers and staff following an SOS from Thane. 

    The resort, on the banks of the Vaitarna, got submerged when the river overflowed following heavy rain and the release of excess water from the Tansa and Bhatsa dams. 
    The Mumbai fire brigade team received a call around 10 pm, reached the resort by 12.30 am, and took half an hour to get through 20 feet of water to reach those who were trapped. 
    Divisional fire officer Prabhat Rahangdale said 15 men, women and children were first rescued by around 2 am, while the others were taken to safety after the water started receding. Assistant divisional fire officer S D Sawant said the rescue team was guided with whistles blown by staff to find the rooms. But the operation was made difficult as the waterhad nearly reached the second floor stairs. 
    Tehsildar Surendra Navle said the resort was informed about the release of water from the dam and was told to evacuate the guests in the morning itself. 
    But resort manager Vincent Lobo said the main gate and reception areas were flooded by the time the guests were informed. 
    The 'rides' and many trees in the area were submerged and the state control room was informed when the water entered the ground floor and guests had to move to the first floor at 8 pm. 
    Thane's disaster management cell was unable to organize rescuers and boats. Virar fire station staff reached with a boat but were unable to venture inside, and joined the operation only after the arrival of the Mumbai team. 
    Most Manor police station staff were stranded as the village was submerged and local government officials too could not proceed beyond the highway due to the flooding.

The rescue of 33 picnickers and 50 resort staff at Manor exposed Thane's disaster preparedness