Over 250 NDRF personnel deployed for Uttarakhand: NDMA

Over 250 personnel of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in Uttarakhand as a preventive measure after the Met department predicted heavy rains in parts of the hill state in next three days.
"Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has given a warning of rainfall, heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand. Six teams of NDRF (one team comprising 45 men) have been deployed in Dehradun, Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi so that they can react in case of any emergency," Vice Chairman of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) M Shashidhar Reddy told reporters here.
He emphasised on the need for changes in the State Disaster Management Authority to ensure prompt and effective response to any such calamity.

"A lot of issues have been thrown up in last few days after the Uttarakhand tragedy. It is to be understood that the State government and district administrations have to play a major role in giving a response to any disaster and fovernment of India should support it...
"It is important that State Disaster Management Authorities are constituted and functional," Reddy said.