With an aim of assuring mitigation natural disasters in an effective way, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is preparing to establish sub-centres across calamity-prone Odisha. NDRF will set up the main centre at Munduli in Cuttack district.
By setting up the sub-centres, NDRF aims to minimise response time during floods and cyclones, while ensuring proper distribution of resources, as stated by NDRF Director General S N Pradhan.
“Plans are afoot to put in place a complete disaster response grid with dedicated sub-centres in northern, southern and western regions of the state. Setting up of the sub-centres will be of immense help in making post-disaster operations more effective,” He said further.
Presently, the NDRF operates out of its base at Munduli, dispatching its personnel from there to remote locations within Odisha and other neighbouring states to deal with any exigency.
“The sub-centres, once established, will reduce the response time and ensure swift action during disasters,” the NDRF chief further said.
Pradhan said, “Climate change has transformed various aspects of natural phenomena which could not be comprehended beforehand.”
The NDRF has prepared a report on its experiences during Cyclone Fani mitigation, which it will share with the state government, Pradhan mentioned.
“While urban re-planning is necessary to deal with calamities, including floods, in the cities and towns, it is also important to focus on the tree plantation, as trees are capable of withstanding high-velocity wind,” he added.