As part of improving disaster response of the administration in the light of last year’s Hudhud, the government has decided to deploy a battalion of the National Disaster Response Force in the city.
“The NDRF has been allocated 3 acres at Kapuluppada and the battalion headquarters will come up there,” Collector N. Yuvaraj told media here on Saturday.
In the initial phase, 100 personnel would be reaching the city in the coming week. The battalion would be able to maintain equipment like cutters, chainsaws, and lights, among others, to be used in case of natural or manmade disasters. Temporary accommodation was arranged for them on the premises of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.
The battalion would get its full complement of personnel and also shift to its permanent home in due course of time.
Shortage
During last year’s relief operations, shortage of equipment and manpower was felt.
There had been proposals to establish such a force at the State and district levels with appropriate training.
Once a State-level society or body was established, the government would be able to deploy district-level forces like in neighbouring Odisha.
