NDRF, ODRAF to hold joint exercise before monsoon: NRDF DG

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to ensure effective tackling of natural calamities, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) will conduct a joint exercise before the rainy season, informed Odia IPS officer, Satya Narayan Pradhan, who was recently appointed as NDRF Director General (DG).

After a courtesy meeting with Odisha DG RP Sharma, Pradhan stated that the joint exercise would come handy in tackling natural as well as man-made disasters.

“ODRAF has expertise in some areas like tackling floods and cyclone (aquatic disasters) and NDRF in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear and as first medical responders. If we can combine our strengths, it can be helpful in handling disasters in a more efficient manner,” said Pradhan.

Though the dates of the joint exercise are yet to be finalised, senior officials said that the mock drills are likely to be conducted in March.

“As per the disaster mapping done in the last 10 years, there has been a rise in man-made disasters. Be it the fire services, ODRAF or the NDRF, we all have to work together in times of emergency,” Pradhan added.