Government conducts search and rescue training in Uttarakhand

The disaster management department of Uttarakhand on Wednesday trained firemen for search and rescue operations with Uttarakhand having witnessed one of the worst natural disasters last year.

Training is being provided by the disaster management department of the Uttarakhand Government.

Sunil Vaidh, the instructor, said the firemen were being trained in carrying out search and rescue operations in the case of any untoward incident.

"Uttarakhand comes under zone four and five that is why the state is very sensitive to disasters. So we are providing training before the occurrence of a disaster. It is for the preparedness in case of a

disaster," said Vaidh.

Vaidh added about 2000 government officials have been trained till now and more of such trainings would be held.

A trainee fireman Bhairav Dutt said that he has learned various techniques that would help during relief and rescue work in case of a disaster.

"Here we have learnt techniques related to rescue. We have learnt how to survive in jungle, how to search for casualties, and after searching how to take the casualty to the base with the help of a

stretcher," said Dutt.

Unprecedented rainfall in June 2013 had wreaked havoc across Uttarakhand, making rivers overflow and setting off massive landslides that killed almost 6,000 people. The lives of two million people which

is one-fifth of Uttarakhand's population was disrupted by the devastation.