The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will form four new battalions with specially trained personnel to recsue save the earthquake victims, its Director General (DG) Satyanarayan Pradhan has said.
“At present, the NDRF has 12 battalions. The new battalions will be deployed in the National Capital Region (New Delhi), Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh,” Mr. Pradhan said during his visit to the 10th Battalion headquartered at Mangalagiri on Friday.
The NDRF is increasing the number of women personnel in its battalions to help out women victims during rescue operations, he added.
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Mr. Pradhan went round the offices, interacted with the officers and took stock of the latest equipment allotted to the battalion. He also participated in the ‘Sainik Sammelan’ and discussed the problems the battalion was facing.
The DG also visited the NDRF administrative office, dormitories and other permanent buildings which are being constructed at Kondapavuluru village in Krishna district.
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Later, Mr. Pradhan witnessed in a mock drill performed by the force in Krishna river. The mock operation on saving the victims of a simulated boat tragedy, providing first aid and shifting them to hospitals impressed the visitors.
“I am visiting all the NDRF battalions in the country.The NDRF personnel are being instructed to remain alert to prevent the possible human and animal loss during calamities in the coming rainy season,” he said.
RRC in every State
“The NDRF is planning to set up a Regional Response Centre (RRC) in every State. If necessary, requisitions will be made for more than one RRC in the cyclone-prone areas and the States with more number of coastal districts,” Mr. Pradhan added.
NDRF 10th Battalion Commandant Zahid Khan, second-in-commandants Love Kumar, Santosh Kumar and Kuldeep Singh and other officers accompanied Mr. Pradhan during his visit.