Uttarakhand: SDRF will be equipped with AI capable and high-tech drones, will reduce response time, new battalion will be available soon

Due to adverse geographical conditions, Uttarakhand has to face disaster every year. Especially during the monsoon season, the condition of the mountainous areas of the state becomes very pathetic. In such a situation, during the disaster, the district administration, police department as well as SDRF play an important role in relief and rescue operations.

AI will increase the efficiency of SDRF: This is the reason why the Uttarakhand government is insisting on making SDRF more powerful. In this sequence, now along with the use of artificial intelligence to increase the efficiency of SDRF, emphasis is being laid on including high-tech drones and excessive equipment, so that the efficiency of SDRF can be increased. What is the strategy?

SDRF provides relief in disaster: After the terrible disaster in Kedar Valley in the year 2013, the need to form a special unit for relief and rescue in the state was felt. After this, SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) was formed in Uttarakhand. However, till the year 2018, SDRF had only one company. Two companies were formed in the year 2018 and then two more companies in the year 2021. At present, five companies of SDRF are deployed across the state. In such a situation, the work of formation of the sixth company of SDRF is going on. Apart from this, administrative approval has been received to form another battalion of SDRF. After getting financial approval, the process of formation of the battalion will start. This battalion will be deployed in Kumaon.

SDRF Commandant told how teams are deployed: Talking, SDRF Commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi said that this year the deployment of teams has been done on the basis of risk areas and flood sensitivity during last year. In view of the monsoon, 12 sub-teams have been specially deployed at eight places across the state. All these teams have been deployed before July 1. Also, after consultation with the DM and SP, SSP of all the districts, it has been decided that SDRS team is most needed in 8 areas in terms of monsoon. Teams have been specially deployed there.

Deployment of SDRF flood relief team in monsoon: 12 sub teams have been deployed at eight places in the state. 2 sub teams have been deployed in Dhalwala of Tehri district. 1 sub team has been deployed in Koti Colony of Tehri Garhwal district. 1 sub team has been deployed in Chinyalisaur of Uttarkashi district. 1 sub team has been deployed in Dakpathar of Dehradun district. 1 sub team has been deployed in Laksar of Haridwar district.

There are 7 employees in a sub team: 1 sub team has been deployed in Rudrapur of Udham Singh Nagar district. 2 sub teams have been deployed in Tanakpur of Champawat district. Along with this, 1 sub team has been deployed in Nainital of Nainital district. 6 to 7 employees are deployed in a sub team.

SDRF is deployed at 42 places during monsoon: SDRF Commandant Arpan Yadav said that in view of monsoon, SDRF is deployed at 42 places across the state. Along with this, the control room of SDRF remains active 24 hours a day. All these teams remain in contact with it. In these teams, expert jawans in deep diving who have trained from the Advanced Institute are also deployed. Apart from this, all the teams have life saving equipment and equipment used in flood relief. In such a situation, SDRF is fully active in the areas which are very sensitive in terms of flood. SDRF is trying to minimize the response time during this monsoon season. At present, the response time of SDRF is less than 5 minutes, which is being tried to reduce further.

SDRF deployment during Kanwar Yatra: During the Kanwar Yatra, SDRF teams will be deployed at 6 places. Along with this, 7 sub-teams and 55 Jal Shakti will be deployed. 02 sub teams and 15 Jal Shakti will be deployed at Kangra Ghat Bridge Haridwar. 01 sub team and 08 Jal Shakti will be deployed at Bairagi Camp Ghat Haridwar. 01 sub team and 08 Jal Shakti will be deployed at Premnagar Ashram Ghat Haridwar.

Jal Shakti teams also deployed: 01 sub team and 08 Jal Shakti will be deployed at Naav Ghat Ramjhula Rishikesh. 01 sub team and 08 Jal Shakti will be deployed around Neelkanth Temple. 01 sub team and 08 Jal Shakti will be deployed at Kanwar Reserve Duty Dhalwala. 6 to 7 employees are deployed in one sub team.

SDRF teams are alert: Every year Kanwar Yatra proves to be a big challenge for the government administration. This is the reason why a large number of SDRF is deployed during the Kanwar Yatra. On this question, the SDRF Commandant said that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has instructed that the upcoming Kanwar Yatra should be smooth, well-organized and safe, in view of this, SDRF teams have been fully alerted. SDRF will be deployed at 6 places during the Kanwar Yatra. These are the places which are very important in terms of Kanwar Yatra. These teams include flood relief team, deep diving jawans. These teams will have all the equipment related to rescue.

The deployed teams are equipped with these equipment: The SDRF teams deployed have rafts, two-man ducky with paddle, motor boat, life jacket, throw bag, floating rope, lifeboat, diving suit, underwater communication set, underwater drone, side scan sonar system.

Last year 250 Kanwariyas were saved from drowning: SDRF Commandant said that last year during the Kanwar Yatra, SDRF saved about 250 Kanwariyas from drowning. This year, more Kanwariyas are expected to come during the Kanwar Yatra as compared to last year. In view of this, more number of Jal Shakti will be deployed during the Kanwar Yatra this year as compared to last year. This year 7 sub teams and 55 Jal Shakti will be deployed. Special emphasis will be laid on ensuring that Kanwariyas do not face any kind of problem during the Kanwar Yatra and they leave for their destination after providing water in an accessible and safe manner.

SDRF is also emphasizing on high-tech drones: At present, Artificial Intelligence is now spreading rapidly in every sector. Or rather say that now its need is being felt in every sector. In this sequence, now SDRF is also emphasizing on the use of Artificial Intelligence and high-tech drones. SDRF Commandant said that-

SDRF will reduce response time: SDRF does not have sufficient number of drones right now. In such a situation, high-tech drones and artificial intelligence will be used in the future action plan of SDRF. So that the response time can be minimized and efficiency can be increased. He also said that during rescue, high-tech equipment is also needed along with manpower. At present, SDRF has better equipment, but attention is being paid to purchasing high-level high-tech equipment.

SDRF will train disaster friends: During a disaster, the first responders are local people. In such a situation, the government is working towards making local people disaster friends. For this, 1700 people have been identified from 13 districts of the state by the Disaster Management Department. These people will work as disaster friends. The training of all these disaster friends is going to start from July 15. This training will last for 4 to 5 months. All these disaster friends will be given special training in the SDRF battalion present in Jolly Grant. So that these disaster friends can work as first responders during a disaster.