Simulation Game: Crisis Management-Chapter 327 - 161: A Strange Coincidence

That’s right, both are senior state government officials and should indeed be the focus of the rescue operation.

However, Gu Ji couldn’t quite understand something.

The Chief Minister stayed in Dis布尔 to reassure the victims and show that the state government stands with the people during the crisis, and getting trapped or swept away by the sudden flood is understandable.

But what about the Water Resources Minister’s disappearance?

Wouldn’t a high-ranking official knowledgeable in hydrology understand the extent and scale of this flash flood?

Moreover, he previously concealed reports about the reservoir dam’s water levels. How could such a selfish person not evacuate from the riverbank and high-risk areas ahead of the second round of tropical depression’s heavy rains? Could he have dared to venture to the front lines to investigate the flood’s cause?

In comparison, Gu Ji believed that he was more likely trying to escape responsibility by secretly fleeing.

After all, "concealment" was a secondary cause of this flood event. Once the Central Cabinet and state government pursue this, the Water Resources Minister might not only lose his position but also face imprisonment.

Since the task has already been assigned to him, he must search for the targeted individuals.

He displayed the personnel information on his phone to the rescue team under his command. The Chief Minister was named Nikoba, dressed in a beige high-neck vest, with graying hair, while the Water Resources Minister was a somewhat balding middle-aged man named Yadav.

"Now I’ll outline the specific action plan, starting with the ’collective action principle.’ Listen carefully, absolutely no single boat or individual actions allowed. No formation actions without command and backup. Any unilateral actions must first be reported to me and Fatima."

Gu Ji spoke in a stern tone, primarily to ensure the safety of these rescue team members.

The search and rescue of missing persons already requires separating from the main boat fleet. If individuals act alone and get trapped, in the complex environment of floods and heavy rain, it’s difficult to be discovered by companions. By the time it’s realized, they might already be in dire straits.

"The second point is reconnaissance first; I need to assign two teams as reconnaissance units to move ahead, to scout the water conditions of the area to be searched, providing key information to define subsequent rescue routes and tasks. Singer, you will lead this reconnaissance team!"

At the end of his speech, Gu Ji suddenly looked at Singer.

He had witnessed this youngster’s abilities during the previous rescue operation of train-trapped victims, and his skills were commendable.

"The third point is back-and-forth search and shift work. For a single target location, ensure to search back and forth along the rescue route 1 to 2 times to confirm no assistance is needed, while for large-scale search areas with long search times, complex rescue environments, and high safety risks, temporarily cancel the reconnaissance mode, all personnel will adopt a group rotation operation."

"The final point, and the most crucial one: due to the complex rescue environment and numerous sudden factors, considering possibilities like boat failures, I will reserve an emergency rescue team, always on standby, ensuring to provide immediate aid during unexpected dangers and contact the formation commander Pradan."

After stating a few principles, the rescue team members looked at each other, their attitudes gradually beginning to change.

Although they had never used such a search operation mode before, the underlying safety of Gu Ji’s plan could be discerned from the words, effectively closing any gap for unexpected incidents.

"Does everyone understand?"

"Understood!"

"Alright, reconnaissance team in lead, entire formation in double-column, prepare for action!!"

Gu Ji shouted through a waterproof loudspeaker, momentarily unsettling everyone.

Because the first boat formation movement learned in water rescue was the triangle formation, the most commonly used in water rescue worldwide. The triangle formation’s boats are closer to each other, allowing for mutual support and overcoming upstream resistance, especially as they moved against the floodwaters into the town.

However, the captain’s command overrides everything.

So they followed the clues to the last known locations of the two ministers.

Other squads responsible for transporting disaster victims noticed them too, making Gu Ji’s 14th unit stand out a bit among the triangular formations, like a stick amidst them.

Only upon entering the town did the 14th unit understand Gu Ji’s thoughtful consideration.

Despite Dis布尔’s low-rise houses being submerged, many taller three- or four-story buildings still protruded above the water, like reefs. Most triangular rescue teams had to narrow their formations to pass through these areas, almost touching boats, often leading to collision and capsizing accidents.

Conversely, using the double-column formation, the 14th unit navigated these tight terrains with ease.

At this moment, they realized its advantages:

The formation was compact and highly maneuverable, facilitating flexible command.

Several nearby transport teams even decided to imitate them by switching their formations from triangle to double-column.

Gu Ji thought of using this not only because of rapid currents but mainly from the experience recorded in the "Military Disaster Prevention Manual." In practice, for long-distance maneuvers during flood relief operations, domestic military and fire personnel often adopted this formation.

In navigation, the double-column’s excellent lateral visibility, combined with continuous information from the front reconnaissance team and rear emergency rescue team, enabled the personnel to observe the surrounding terrain and features, navigate accurately, and enhance coordination between boats, effectively preventing the loss of contact.