The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) on January 3 handed over 40 mechanical inflatable rubber boats to the Fire and Emergency Services, Assam, to strengthen flood and water-rescue preparedness across the state. The handover took place at the Guwahati Gateway Terminal.
Officials said the boats are easy to transport and deploy, and will significantly enhance the State Disaster Response Force’s capacity during floods and other water-related emergencies, an annual challenge for Assam, including low-lying areas in and around Guwahati.
On January 3, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority handed over 40 inflatable rescue boats to Fire and Emergency Services, Assam, at the Guwahati Gateway Terminal. The boats will boost flood and water-rescue operations. With this, ASDMA has supplied a total of 301 such boats to the service so far.
Boost to flood response capability
The newly inducted inflatable boats are designed for quick deployment, enabling rescue teams to navigate flooded localities, rivers, and waterlogged urban pockets more effectively. Officials noted that the equipment will be strategically deployed across vulnerable districts ahead of the monsoon season.
With this latest handover, ASDMA has now provided 301 inflatable rescue boats to Fire and Emergency Services, reflecting a sustained push to upgrade disaster response infrastructure.
Senior officials present
Several senior officials attended the handover ceremony, including:
- Keshab Mahanta, Revenue & Disaster Management Minister
- Surendra Kumar, Additional DGP, Assam Police & Director, Fire and Emergency Services
- Meenakshi Das Nath, Additional Chief Executive Officer, ASDMA
- Sadiq Ali Ahmed, Senior Superintendent of Police & Fire and Emergency Services Advisor
- KC Chowdhury, Internal Water Transport Advisor
Other senior officials from disaster management, police, and emergency services were also present.
Why this matters for Guwahati and Assam
Assam faces recurring floods and water-related disasters every year, with Guwahati often experiencing urban flooding during intense rainfall. The addition of modern rescue equipment is expected to reduce response time and improve safety outcomes during emergencies.
Authorities said the focus remains on pre-monsoon preparedness, equipment modernisation, and coordinated response among departments.
What happens next
The Fire and Emergency Services will deploy the boats across high-risk zones and conduct training and drills to ensure readiness. ASDMA officials indicated that further equipment upgrades and inter-agency coordination measures are planned ahead of the next flood season.
Frequently Asked Questions
ASDMA handed over 40 mechanical inflatable rubber boats.
With this handover, ASDMA has supplied a total of 301 inflatable rescue boats to the Fire and Emergency Services, Assam.
