NDRF to rescue animals during disasters: DG

Confident of handling situations during chemical, biological and nuclear disasters, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) today said it was preparing to rescue domestic animals besides human beings during calamities.
"Our personnel will be ready to rescue animal, mostly livestock, during disasters. NDRF is likely to take up the animal rescue operation in one year," NDRF Director General (DG) Krishna Chaudury told reporters here during an interaction conducted by the Press Club of Odisha.
Chaudury, who was here to attend the 9th Raising Day of the NDRF, said that domestic animals who are considered as the part of family of the calamity victims also need not be left to die during disasters. "Many times people request our personnel to rescue their animals."

Stating that about 40 personnel of NDRF have already undergone a training programme in Chennai on rescuing animals during the time of disasters, Chaudhury said similar module would be conducted for the NDRF jawans in Patna and Palampur.
Rescue of domestic animals will also help to save livelihood of the poor who get affected by calamities, he said adding that NDRF personnel have done commendable job during the Cyclone Phailin in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
About man-made disasters, Chaudhury said, "We have identified them in three different categories like biological, chemical and nuclear."
Terming cyclone Phailin as a "mega disaster", the NDRF DG said that his organisation felt sorry for the death of 21 persons in the calamity. "We are happy that we have saved lives of many people. At the same time, we are also sorry for not being able to save 21 lives."

Elaborating his Odisha experience during Phailin, NDRF, DIG S S Guleria said to prevent casulty, his organsation deployed personnel at vulnerable places across the coast.