New Delhi: Director General of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) SN Pradhan on Saturday said that cyclonic storm Fani was the most challenging task for the organisation ever since it was formed in 2006.
Talking to ETV Bharat, Pradhan said that other disasters like Kerala flood, Chennai urban flooding, Mahalaxmi Express crisis were also among other major challenges for the organisation.
"In the last 15 years, Fani was the biggest challenge for NDRF...added with it other incidents like Chennai flooding, Kerala flood and Mahalaxmi Express crisis were also challenging which the force had to confront with," said Pradhan.
It was in 2019 Cyclonic storm Fani had created ripples in India. Fani had mostly affected eastern Indian and Bangladesh too.
As per records, Fani killed 72 people and caused major damages. Odisha and parts of Bengal were mostly affected by Fani.
Similarly, in Kerala flood in 2018, nearly 500 people died and more than 140 went missing. Several districts of Kerala were badly affected.
In the 2015 Chennai urban flood that was resulted due to heavy rainfall, more than 400 people were killed. It had affected some parts of Andhra Pradesh also.
Similarly, the Mahalaxmi Express crisis also created headlines in July last year. More than 1,050 passengers were rescued in the operation. The Mumbai to Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Express was stuck in the swirling waters of Ulhas river on the outskirts of Mumbai.
Talking about the achievement of the Force, Pradhan said that they have delivered work of "international standard".
"For a country like India which is vulnerable to multiple disasters, NDRF is doing an appreciable work," said Pradhan.
Pradhan said that his organisation has also taken an initiative to train volunteers at a bigger level.
"We are training more than 10,000 Nehru Yuva Kendra members in all districts so that they could come forward as the first responder of any disaster," said Pradhan.
He also said that NDRF is on a mission to develop its technology and gadgets as well.
"We are making maximum use of technology...we are using artificial intelligence in our work as well," said Pradhan.
Since 2006, NDRF is the only dedicated force in India to fight against any kind of natural and man-made disaster.
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