Wayanad Landslide: In the aftermath of devastating landslides in Wayanad, it is Major Sita Shelke of the Indian Army who has turned out to be the torchbearer of hope and resilience. Her exceptional work in constructing a crucial Bailey bridge has come out in the open, much appreciated by one and all for its sheer display of dedication and the huge role the Indian Army played in disaster relief.
Major Sita Shelke’s Remarkable Feat
Major Shelke belongs to the Madras Engineering Group of the Army, based in Bengaluru. He built a 190-foot Bailey bridge in record 31 hours at Chooralmala. The bridge was of paramount importance to reconnect Mundakai hamlet, which had been cut off from the mainland since the original bridge was ravaged by landslides. On the same day Wayanad was hit by the landslide, the Bailey bridge was assembled from materials transported in 20 trucks from Bengaluru; it consists of 19 steel panels supported by a single pier.
This completion of the bridge was, therefore, very critical and ended up becoming somewhat of a turnaround in rescue operations locally. Heavy machinery, from excavators to even ambulances, has been able to reach areas totally cut off and badly hit in Mundakkai and Chooralmala. This increased the efficiency of search and rescue operations by a huge extent and gave a big boost to relief activities.
Materials Transported and Bridge Assembled Amidst Crisis
What has brought public attention to this stupendous feat achieved by Major Shelke is that she happens to be the only female officer in her 70-member team of the ‘Madras Sappers,’ an engineering unit famous for construction of bridges, clearing of paths, and disarming landmines. Her dedication and toil have been socialized through media, as the pictures of hers proudly standing over the newly constructed bridge became viral. Her actions further received applause from Anand Mahindra, the Chairman of the Mahindra Group, as “Wayanad’s WonderWoman” on Twitter and lauded her as a real-life superhero.
Major Shelke was from Ahmednagar in Maharashtra and had been an Officer in the Army since 2012. She undertook training at the Chennai OTA. Her outstanding performance is not only a challenge to the stereotype associated with the female gender but also brings out how fast and effective the Indian Army can be during natural disasters.
Major Sita Shelke’s Heroic Efforts in Wayanad Landslide Rescue
Since the Bailey bridge is urgently required, it will remain there until a permanent, new bridge comes up at the initiative of local authorities. The dedication of Major Shelke really displays the spirit of serving and standing up against the crisis, which is the main spirit during such times. It is further reaffirmed with the commitment of the Indian Army for disaster management and relief as well as humanitarian assistance.
