New Delhi: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) would be restructured and revamped to meet new challenges, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Monday.
Inaugurating the 10th Formation Day of NDMA here, he said two new battalions of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been formed to strengthen its capabilities.
Rajnath Singh said that NDMA, NDRF,and the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) were playing important roles in disaster management, rescue operations and raising the awareness about disaster risk reduction.
Apparently referring to the recent flood in Jammu and Kashmir, he said: "The recent experience of lack of connectivity during disasters has delayed the relief and rescue operations. It is necessary that the country has an effective communication system which does not get disrupted during disasters."
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said that early warning system, hydrological observation and prediction of flash-floods in the hilly regions should be further improved.
Home Secretary Anil Goswami said that 26 states and union territories have so far prepared their disaster management plans and shared it with NDMA.
