Patna: The Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA) will launch the ‘Ganga Prahari Aapda Mitra Scheme’ aimed at curbing drowning incidents across the state. This initiative was announced during a Monday meeting chaired by BSDMA vice-chairman Uday Kant, with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in attendance.
Scheme Objectives and Training
NDMA secretary Manish Bhardwaj revealed that the scheme would be implemented in Bihar with the specific goal of reducing drowning incidents. Under this program, residents living in riparian zones along the Ganga and other rivers will be educated on drowning prevention. Local youth will receive specialized training in swimming, diving, and life-saving techniques. The aim is to ensure the availability of trained human resources at the local level, capable of providing rapid response during emergencies to save lives.
Additional Directives and Reviews
During the meeting, necessary directives were issued regarding the review of the State Disaster Response Force’s (SDRF) organizational structure and deployment. Emphasis was placed on capacity building and training of boatmen volunteers to ensure effective response during floods. The status of notification and effective implementation of the Incident Response System (IRS) across the state was also discussed. It was decided to stress the widespread utilization of the ‘Sacchet App’ for disseminating pre-disaster warnings and the effective utilization and maintenance of the India Disaster Resource Network (IDRN).
Commitment to Enhanced Disaster Management
Uday Kant directed officials to ensure coordinated efforts to make the disaster management mechanism in the state more capable, prompt, and effective. A key point of discussion was the potential for the disaster management model being developed in Bihar to serve as a valuable example for the entire country. “The state’s objective is to foster a society that does not merely react when a disaster strikes, but remains prepared in advance and collectively ensures its safety,” Uday said.
Meeting Attendees
BSDMA secretary Md Waris Khan, Vaishali District Magistrate Varsha Singh, Patna Municipal Corporation commissioner Yashpal Meena, NDMA advisors Lt Col Sanjeev Kumar Shahi and Col Kriti Pratap Singh, SDRF commandant Rajesh Kumar, and other senior officials were present at the meeting.
