Centre asks States to set up Specialist Response Teams to tackle natural disasters

New Delhi, May 28 : Underlining the importance of early warning, the Centre has asked the States to set up Specialist Response Teams to tackle natural disaster effectively.

Addressing the Annual Conference of Relief Commissioners here, Border Management Secretary Shantanu Konsul said that by providing specialized training and necessary equipments to such teams, the States will also be able to cater to the needs of others during the crisis period.

Konsul also said that joint efforts of the Centre and the State Governments will help mitigating the impact of the disasters and minimizing the sufferings of the people due to disasters.

Major calamities over the last decade have underscored the need to adopt a multi-dimensional, multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral approach to disaster management involving diverse scientific, engineering, social and financial processes he added.

The Government has constituted National Disaster Response Force consisting of eight battalions of Central Para Military Forces for the purpose of specialist.

He also said the inputs provided by the India Meteorological Department and Central Water Commission help the States in planning and undertaking preparedness measures.

The Relief Commissioners and Secretaries of Department of Disaster Management from States and Union Territories will also review the status of preparedness for the South-West Monsoon, he added.

ANI