Disaster response force to set up unit in Guntur

A permanent National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) battalion, the first to be set up in cyclone-prone Andhra Pradesh to deal with emergency situations, is coming up in Guntur district.

The proposed NDRF unit comprising over 1,000 personnel will be equipped with modern gadgets and would be stationed on a 50-acre land in Mangalagiri town, located between Vijayawada and Guntur, sources said.

“The State Government had issued orders for handing over 50 acres for setting up the permanent NDRF battalion in Mangalagiri town and the Revenue Department transferred the land in the name of NDRF last week,” a senior official of the State Disaster Management Department told PTI.

The official said the infrastructure work (for buildings) for the NDRF unit was likely to be completed in one year and more than 1,000 personnel comprising doctors, para-medical staff, swimmers and such professionals would be permanently stationed here.

Vulnerable to cyclones

The need for an exclusive NDRF unit for Andhra Pradesh was felt as coastal districts of the State are vulnerable to cyclones and floods; and whenever such disaster and any other natural calamity strikes, forces from this proposed unit can be immediately deployed for rescue and relief operations.

“Till now, whenever cyclones or floods occurred in the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, NDRF forces from Chennai and Bhubaneshwar were called in for dealing with the situation,” he said and elaborated that once the NDRF unit starts functioning in Andhra Pradesh, the personnel who would have local knowledge and can be deployed in the shortest time.

“During any emergency situation, time plays a crucial role for the forces and in case of any natural calamity in the future the personnel from Mangalagiri NDRF unit can be shifted to coastal districts quickly,” the official added.