NDRF men turn saviour for 1 lakh in Bihar

PATNA: The swift and highly-skilled rescue operation that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel launched to meet the challenges posed by the Kosi fury in Bihar has drawn appreciation from all quarters.

Stepping in Bihar for the first time and that too on their own initiative, NDRF men saved no less than 1 lakh human lives trapped by the swirling waters of the river Kosi. ���Even before the state government requested for the deployment of NDRF personnel, we had mobilised our 274 trained personnel and 35 motorised boats on 20 August from our bases at Kolkata and Bhubneshwar. The boats were even airlifted from New Delhi and other bases. On 22 August, they were deployed in Purnea, Madhepura and other affected districts,��� National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) member K M Singh told ET.

Mr Singh is currently in the state taking stock of the rescue operation by the NDRF. ���The NDRF boys were not acquainted with the geography but they have done a commendable job and I am proud of them. Much before any other agency like Army or Navy moved in, the NDRF boys had taken up the rescue job,��� said Singh adding the deployment of NDRF will continue for the time being.

Unlike the deployment of Army or central para military forces which can be made on the request of the state government, the NDRF personnel can move in on their own in areas affected by calamity. ���It is true we did not wait for any request to come from the Bihar government. We had the necessary feedback about the calamity and we just rushed in our boys to Bihar��� said Singh. ���As of now, 770 trained personnel and over 100 inflatable boats have been pressed into service for the rescue operations, ��� he added.