Fearing rise in numbers, NDRF braces to tackle disasters

Syed Ali Ahmed

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 30

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is concentrating on getting the latest equipment to use during rescue operation as India happens to be the third most disaster-hit country in the world, after the US and China. This was stated by NDRF Director General OP Singh.

So far, 4.8 million people have been affected by disasters in India while the number is likely to reach 19 million by 2030. Keeping this in view, the NDRF is strengthening the force and providing the best training to its personnel.

Citing the incident of Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh where NDRF personnel had succeeded in rescuing victims of a landslide, OP Singh said the force was engaging experts for training its personnel.

In 2015, the NDRF rescued 51,000 persons, including 22,450 in Channai during floods. They also helped people during floods in Assam, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

The DG said the NDRF saved 4,500 marooned persons from affected areas of Assam, Gujarat and Rajasthan. It also assisted states administrations in the distribution of relief material to the needy.

In July and August, urban search and rescue (USAR) teams of the NDRF were deployed in Siliguri, Darjeeling, South 24 Pargana, East Medinapur, North 24 Pargana, Murshidabad, Bardhaman and Birbhumi in West Bengal following a cyclone. It evacuated 2,291 persons from the coastal areas and distributed relief material, he said.