Team-BHP - Offroader's Response to Natural Disasters

Some Background.

# 1- An year ago this idea was floated on FB, people were asked to get listed to be called for help in emergencies.

# 2- In the light of recent events, one member of NIOC again asked this Q in a closed group.
copy pasting his OP for his exact words.

Quote:

Can NIOC raise a 4x4 volunteer group to help local admin/ army in disaster management in Uttarakhand? Put our training and skills to real time test? We could be useful..

Very good thinking I must say

#3- I was personally involved in such in my early years of Jeeping when my Dad was involved in social work & I was assisting him. Though I lacked the experience & knowledge of 4x4 operating (in every sense), I do have immense satisfaction for what I did.

Now looking back in reference to my own experience, I feel the community nowadays is far better equipped in terms of driving training, Vehicle preparation & overall equipment level we carry (Frankly, I lacked everything )

So why not do it ? Time to act IMO.

Pour your thoughts guys !

Sudarshan

I think it is pointless. I was stuck in Rudraprayag in 2011 when similar rainfall happened. The road was closed SHUT, or washed away. I am sorry but I don't think any offroader can do anything in a terrain where the road has fallen into the valley 300 meters below.

It is foolhardy to attempt to drive over a rock pile like this (it is scarier in person):

In the plains yes offroaders can help. NOT in rudraprayag. Hell one can't even reach some of the worst hit places by helicopter, forget jeeps!

Quote:

Originally Posted by phamilyman (Post 3153479)

In the plains yes offroaders can help. NOT in rudraprayag. Hell one can't even reach some of the worst hit places by helicopter, forget jeeps!

I can Understand that,

Safety of the response/rescue team is the first thing to start with.

I am of-course talking about things in " CAN BE DONE " category :)

Sudarshan

Much appreciate this noble thought. I am with both of you if not an actual rescue mission. at least the 4X4 community can join hands with local authority or army infact and help them relocate RESCUED people from danger zones to safer ones.

Infact, 4x4 community's can also pitch-in to haul food supplies, medical equipments, medicine, clothing etc etc. (i know most of our 4x4 don't come with bigger luggage space). still something is better than nothing in my opinion.

At this time, i feel every helping hand counts and definitely makes a difference for both rescuer and rescued.

Quote:

Originally Posted by phamilyman (Post 3153479)

Noble thought,but i agree with Hitanshu here,no 4X4 will be able to make it there as the roads have been completely washed off.

Very noble thought.

I don't know about off-roading in particular, but what I have seen is that in times of emergencies, when things need to be done in a hurry, when lives are at stake, and there is little room for error, well-intentioned amateurs and onlookers more often than not become a hindrance rather than a help to the professionals (in this case, the army). The best thing we can do in such situations is stand well back and let them do their job.

I'm sure we can find several ways to help behind the scenes- serving food to rescued people, distributing medicines, raising money, etc. Something as simple as donating blood, while perhaps not as personally satisfying as wading into a disaster site and rescuing people, is no less significant and may actually be required more. I'm not sure the army will be keen on people trying to attempt the actual rescues and creating the possibility of them having to then rescue the 'would-be' rescuers! :)

Again, I plead ignorance on matters pertaining to off-road techniques and in no way am I doubting the off-road skill of any of our T-BHP drivers (I'm always amazed and awed at some of the off-road pics I see here!), but:

1. From whatever little I understand of off-roading (mostly gleaned from the posts here), isin't 'spotting' or 'recee' a best practice for safe off-roading? How will that happen in such an emergency situation and terrain?

2. No matter how well organized, such a 'non-professional' initiative will always attract some people who may really mean well, but whose enthusiasm exceeds their skill. Dangerous.

I hope not to offend anyone here or try and put down a noble idea.

I can understand member's concern. Let me give a clue .

When such events (disasters) occurred, we used to connect to the then local political party workers & the NGOs (Lion's club etc ) acting in that area.These people gave the idea of local situation & also the immediate requirements.

Another way to connect, is the district collector office or the district police headquarters. Those offices will certainly welcome a helping hand (& they DO) & guide you for possible area of help.

Believe me in such case of disaster all govt agencies do work promptly & properly & they dont play their usual hanky panky.

All that is needed is young capable hands, ready for some personal discomfort & who are used to some field hard work .

Ohh come on , your tow strap can become a most wanted accessory in whole lot of a helping party (have personally experienced it). No other vehicles except army & fire tenders have them .

Sudarshan

Hi,

We from Northern India Offroad Club are proud of NIOC flood relief team consisting of Sanchay Chaturvedi , Ajay Baisla ,Mayank Thakur, Jayant Chaturvedi who have reached Tehri and will help the civil administration ,Indian Army and other agencies. They are carrying jeep loads of food, medicines, clothes contributed by NIOC members for the disaster victims.

We have done it guys, and we believe in ACTION.

Cheers to Team NIOC..clap:

Ok , so here I am with a newly started group to connect on FB for people primarily in Pune district.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/381706408615709/

Please feel free to Join.

This will enable members to connect & share information.

The base of some kind is made, Interested people can also connect through BHP

at Here

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-ex...ml#post3157274

Sudarshan