90 NDRF teams deployed for flood operations

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 4

The government today said it had deployed 90 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams in different parts of the country for flood mitigation and rescue operations with new drills in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials said the NDRF teams had been deployed with a “strong focus” on sanitisation of men and material in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Union Home Minister on Friday had reviewed the preparedness for monsoon rains and floods and issued direction to all the agencies concerned to develop a robust plan to reduce damage and casualties.

A senior NDRF official said the force had earmarked over 90 teams, each comprising about 45 personnel and equipped with gadgets and inflatable boats, across the country for flood rescue related works.

The NDRF has also written to chief secretaries and special relief commissioners of states seeking sufficient space for its rescue teams and personnel in view of the Centre’s Covid-19 guidelines.

Another official said the states where NDRF teams are deployed for flood rescue works will also carry their own temperature check gadgets, masks, sanitisers and basic medicine kit in view of the Covid pandemic.

About 60 NDRF personnel who worked during cyclone “Amphan” in West Bengal last month were infected with the coronavirus.