Ranchi Deputy Commissioner cum Chairman of District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Manoj Kumar, praising the work done by National Disaster Management Force (NDRF), said that the team proved to be a great support in checking any untoward incident during Chhath Puja in Ranchi. According to Kumar NDRF team was deployed in the places of higher risk and the water bodies which were more vulnerable to accidents which also proved to be quite beneficial for the district administration. Their help could be taken in future also, he said.
“All departments contributed a lot to make Chhath puja successful for which they must all be congratulated,” said the DC.
The district administration for the first time had called up NDRF team to check incidents like drowning and stampede during Chhath puja, which played an important role in curbing such incidents. A 45 member NDRF under the leadership of Deputy Commandant Mahendra Singh was roped in at Dhurwa Dam, Kanke Dam, Ranchi lake, Hatania pond and Chadri pond.
According to DC Manoj Kumar, it was important to keep coordination and fulfill their responsibilities by all important departments to check any kind of disaster. It was quite visible throughout the Chhath puja for which Chhath Puja Samities must also be congratulated who distributed the directions passed by the DDMA among the people and also announced it through their communication systems. Fire tenders and ambulances were also deputed all vulnerable spots, he said.
Additional Collector Shailendra Kumar also praised the team and said that this time only one team was deputed for trial but more than three to four teams of NDRF will be roped in for safer Chhath Puja in future.
The NDRF team had arranged 75 life jackets, 75 life tubes, 6 motor boats, 6 oxygen cylinder sets, 10 divers, 4 generator sets, medical first responder box, 12 para-medical staff, 12 primary medical kits, 12 radio wireless sets. The team had been provided three buses and 3 wingers by the district administration.
One Incident Command System was also installed each at Dhurwa Dam, Kanke Dam and Ranchi lake which were connected to each other through radio wireless sets so that communication could be developed among them.