Palghar News: Disaster Response Kits Distributed To 259 Gram Panchayats For Swift Emergency Action
Palghar, Maharashtra: In an effort to strengthen disaster preparedness at the grassroots level, 259 gram panchayats across Palghar district have been equipped with specialized Disaster Response Kits. These kits have been dispatched to the offices of the respective Group Development Officers, ensuring that villages are ready to respond immediately to emergencies, especially during the upcoming monsoon season.
Palghar district, which comprises a total of 473 gram panchayats, has prioritized the distribution of these kits to villages located along the coast and riverbanks, areas highly vulnerable to natural disasters. In the first phase of the distribution, the kits have been allocated to 74 gram panchayats in Wada taluka, 66 in Palghar, 49 in Dahanu, 32 in Vasai, 12 in Talasari, 11 in Jawhar, 8 in Vikramgad, and 7 in Mokhada.
Each Disaster Response Kit contains essential rescue and safety equipment, including first aid kits, inflatable and foldable stretchers (large and medium sizes), life jackets, safety helmets, gumboots, hand gloves, safety nets, 30-meter rappelling ropes, and storage boxes for the equipment.
Dr. Indurani Jakhar, Palghar District Collector, emphasized the importance of these kits, stating, "The 259 disaster response kits received by the District Disaster Management Authority, Palghar, from the State Disaster Management Authority, Maharashtra, will act as a lifeline in rural areas. These kits will help prevent loss of life and property that may occur before search and rescue teams reach the disaster site after an incident."
Significance of Disaster Management Kits
Palghar district is known for its vulnerability to natural calamities such as earthquakes, especially in the Talasari and Dahanu regions, as well as frequent flooding during the monsoon due to the district’s many rivers. Additionally, coastal villages face the threat of cyclones. In such scenarios, the role of local disaster response teams is crucial in complementing the efforts of the District Disaster Management Authority and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
Continuous Training Initiatives
Currently, a 45-member NDRF team has been stationed at the district headquarters for the past year and undergoes regular training exercises. Furthermore, government officials, citizens, and students in Palghar district are receiving training from the Civil Defence and NDRF on search and rescue operations and first aid during disaster management. The NDRF also conducts various drills and mock exercises to strengthen the preparedness of representatives from different departments involved in rescue operations.
500 Disaster Response Volunteers to be Recruited:
Palghar district is planning to recruit 500 trained “Apda Mitras”, disaster response friends, local volunteers who will be trained to assist during emergencies. Selected volunteers will undergo a 12-day specialized training program. Information regarding participation in this scheme will be made available soon by the District Disaster Management Cell.
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