Rajasthan: sdrf ready to aid disaster relief

Over the course of past one year, it has increased manpower while also providing elite level training. Now there is availability of various equipment as well Right: Children swim in a pond

full of water; Left: A JCB machine removes fallen trees to clear a road near a village in Kota on Monday. With monsoon at its peak and heavy showers lashing several parts of the state, the

danger of flash floods and filling up of lower-lying areas are most likely to pose threat to human settlement and life in general. To ensure any such crisis is met with efficiently, State

Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) is on a high alert. This time around, the force is not only well-trained but also has the required equipment that can aid in avoiding situation like last year

when floods affected several districts and owing to lack of trained manpower and proper equipment the Army columns had to be called in for rescue efforts. Over the course of past one year,

the SDRF has increased its manpower while also providing elite level training to its personnel. “Our personnel have undergone extensive training. These primarily include swimming in flowing

water, rescuing people from islands or from fallen structures. First aid and medical help during emergency is also taught to them so that any injured person can be treated and looked after

till the time they reach nearby hospital for better treatment,” officials said. However, what has given the SDRF a shot in the arms is the availability of various equipment that will enable

the SDRF to work even in difficult situations. “We can handle any tough situation after the trainings. There are 57 boats with SDRF that have been divided into 24 groups that are available

even at a moment’s notice across the state. Moreover, our swimmers have been asked to be alert and available for any eventuality. In addition, the district police is also there to aid us,”

said BL Soni, additional director general, SDRF. The SDRF invested its funds on purchase of good quality equipment like inflatable boats, ropes, gas lights and other rescue related equipment

used by the best of forces. Interestingly, though the SDRF is well prepared, the government has also formally alerted the Indian Army for aid in any situation. “That is done as a formality

that in case their help is needed, they should not get delayed while making preparations. Moreover, this would also ensure that the legal documentation is taken care of,” officials said,

adding, “We are sure there won’t be any need for the army to be called as the SDRF is capable of handling situations now.” A REVIVED FORCE “After training we can handle any tough situation.

There are 57 boats with SDRF that have been divided into 24 groups that are available even at a moment’s notice. Moreover, our swimmers have been asked to be alert and available for any

eventuality. In addition, the district police is also there to aid us,” said BL Soni, ADG, SDRF.