Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force

{{Short description|Disaster response unit in Odisha, India}} {{Use Indian English|date=November 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}} {{Infobox government agency | name = Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force

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The '''Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force''' ('''ODRAF''') is a specialised unit of Odisha Police constituted "To act immediately in case of disaster which may be due to natural calamity or industrial accident" by a state home department resolution.<ref name="Department of Home resolution">{{cite web|title=Government of Odisha, department of Home resolution, 2001, [7th June, 2001.] |url=https://odishapolice.gov.in/sites/default/files/PDF/Government-Resolution-for-Creation-of-ODRAF_1.pdf|publisher= Government of Orissa, Department of Home|accessdate=30 July 2013|author=Government of Orissa}}</ref>

== Composition == Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) is a force of 10 units. The manpower is derived from Odisha State Armed Police(OSAP) and Armed police Reserve(APR). They have been equipped with the necessary equipments such as cranes, generators, troop carriers, trucks, concrete cutting equipments etc. The ODRAF units can additionally use the requisite tools available with Govt. / Public Sector and private agencies for their operations.<ref name="Ramkumar Ramkumar 2009 p. 151">{{cite book | last1=Ramkumar | first1=M. | title=Geological Hazards: Causes, Consequences & Methods of Containment | publisher=New India Publishing Agency | year=2009 | isbn=978-81-908512-7-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O5fHnDRqNyAC&pg=PA151 | access-date=2019-05-14 | page=151}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://planningcommission.nic.in/reports/sereport/ser/study_of_reh.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=14 May 2019 |archive-date=19 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819111520/http://planningcommission.nic.in/reports/sereport/ser/study_of_reh.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Deployment ==

These ODRAF units are located at twenty locations in the state based to cut down the response time for their deployment. These locations were chosen according to their vulnerability profile.<ref name="ODISHA STATE DISASTER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY 2020">{{cite web | title=Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force | website=ODISHA STATE DISASTER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY | date=2020-04-20 | url=https://www.osdma.org/preparedness/odraf-response-force/ | access-date=2020-06-02}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" |- ! S. No. ! ODRAF Unit Location ! Parent Battalion

|- | 1 | Cuttack | OSAP 6th Battalion |- |- | 2 | Koraput | OSAP 3rd Battalion |- |- | 3 | Jharsuguda | OSAP 2nd Battalion |- |- | 4 | Chhatrapur | OSAP 8th Battalion |- | 5 | Balasore | Armed Police Reserve |- |- | 6 | Bhubaneswar | OSAP 7th Battalion |- |- | 7 | Paradeep | Armed Police Reserve |- | 8 | Rourkela | OSAP 4th Battalion |- | 9 | Baripada | OSAP 5th Battalion |- | 10 | Bolangir | Armed Police Reserve |- | 11 | Dhenkanal | OSAP 1st Bn., Dhenkanal |- | 12 || Koraput || 1st India Reserve Battalion, Upper Kolab |- | 13 || Rayagada || 2nd India Reserve Battalion, Rayagda |- | 11 || Jajpur || 3rd India Reserve Battalion, Kalinganagar |- | 14 || Deogarh || 4th India Reserve Battalion, Deogarh. |- | 15 || Boudh || 5th India Reserve Battalion, Boudh. |- | 16 || Khordha || 6th India Reserve Battalion, Khordha. |- | 17 || Koraput || 7th Specialized India Reserve Battalion, Upper Kolab. |- | 18 || Ganjam || 8th Specialized India Reserve Battalion, Bhanjanagar. |- | 19 || Ganjam || OSAP 8th Bn., Chhatrapur. |- | 20 || Kandhamal || 8th Specialized India Reserve Battalion |}

== Functional parameters == The aim of the ODRAF is to immediately respond to disaster which may be either due to natural calamity or industrial accidents. The units are trained in relevant response techniques and to act immediately . The forces are deployed on intimation of a disaster or warning of forthcoming disaster. The units mobilise at the request of Special Relief Commissioner/Orissa State Disaster Mitigation Authority (OSDMA)/ District Collector . Once deployed they remain under the command of the Superintendent of police of that district.<ref name="Department of Home resolution" />

== Disaster response ==

thumb|Rescue work in Mahendratanya river in Gajapati. ODRAF has proved its usefulness with its commendable performance during various disasters including the boat capsizing, devastating floods and Cyclones. Some of the major response operations of NDRF as below:

'''2005''' * Flood in Bhadrak and Jajpur districts, Odisha – 3–5 July 2005 –<ref name="ReliefWeb 2005">{{cite web | title=India: Orissa floods situation report, 4 Jul 2005 - India | website=ReliefWeb | date=2005-07-04 | url=https://reliefweb.int/report/india/india-orissa-floods-situation-report-4-jul-2005 | access-date=2019-05-14}}</ref>

'''2009''' * Coromandel Express derailment.<ref name="The Times of India 2009">{{cite web | title=Coromandel Express death toll mounts to 16; probe ordered - India News | website=The Times of India | date=2009-02-14 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Coromandel-Express-death-toll-mounts-to-16-probe-ordered/articleshow/4127949.cms | access-date=2019-05-14}}</ref><ref name="orissa-train-mishap">{{cite web | title=Orissa mishap, Railways says only nine died | website=Rediff.com | url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2009/feb/14train-orissa-train-mishap-toll-only-nine-says-railways.htm | access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref> * Odisha Floods – Oct 2009 - Relief and rescue .<ref name="Deccan Herald 2009">{{cite web | title=13 lakh affected by floods in AP | website=Deccan Herald| date=2009-10-05 | url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/28756/13-lakh-affected-floods-ap.html | access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref>

'''2011''' * Flood in Jajpur district, Odisha – Sep 2011 –<ref name="orissa-floods-nearly-800-villages-marooned">{{cite web | title=Orissa floods: Nearly 800 villages marooned | website=NDTV.com | date=2019-04-30 | url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/orissa-floods-nearly-800-villages-marooned-468556 | access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref>

'''2013'''

* Cyclone Phailin - Post cyclone relief and rescue operation.<ref name="The Economic Times 2013">{{cite web | title=After cyclone Phailin, Odisha faces flood | website=The Economic Times | date=2013-10-14 | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/after-cyclone-phailin-odisha-faces-flood/articleshow/24163345.cms | access-date=2019-05-14}}</ref>

'''2014'''

* Hirakud Boat Capsizing incident - Feb 2014 .<ref name="13-dead-as-boat-capsizes-in-odisha">{{cite web | title=13 dead as boat capsizes in Odisha's Hirakud reservoir | website=NDTV.com | date=2019-04-30 | url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/13-dead-as-boat-capsizes-in-odishas-hirakud-reservoir-550284 | access-date=2019-05-14}}</ref> * Flood in coastal districts,<ref name="odisha-on-flood-alert-after-three-die-due-to-heavy-rain">{{cite web | title=Odisha on Flood Alert After Three Die Due to Heavy Rain | website=NDTV.com | date=2019-04-30 | url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/odisha-on-flood-alert-after-three-die-due-to-heavy-rain-612069 | access-date=2019-05-14}}</ref><ref name="India 2014">{{cite web | agency=Press Trust of India | title=Odisha floods kill 34, affect nearly 10 lakh people | website=The Indian Express | date=2014-08-07 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/odisha-floods-kill-34-affect-nearly-10-lakh-people/ | access-date=2019-05-14}}</ref> * Cyclone Hudhud - Post cyclone relief and restoration<ref name="PTI 2014">{{cite web | agency=Press Trust of India| title=Cyclone Hudhud: Andhra Pradesh grapples with aftermath, power restoration to take time | website=Deccan Chronicle| date=2014-10-13 | url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/141013/nation-current-affairs/article/cyclone-hudhud-andhra-pradesh-grapples-aftermath-power | access-date=2019-05-14}}</ref><ref name="The Economic Times 2014">{{cite web | title=Hudhud effect: Road link between Koraput and Andhra Pradesh restored | website=The Economic Times | date=2014-10-14 | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/hudhud-effect-road-link-between-koraput-and-andhra-pradesh-restored/articleshow/44810014.cms | access-date=2019-05-14}}</ref>

'''2015'''

* Flood in Odisha, August - relief and rescue operation<ref name="PTI 2015">{{cite web | agency=Press Trust of India| title=At least 81 people die in recent floods in Gujarat, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Odisha | website=Zee News | date=2015-08-02 | url=https://zeenews.india.com/news/india/at-least-81-people-die-in-recent-floods-in-gujarat-rajasthan-west-bengal-odisha_1640642.html | access-date=2019-05-14}}</ref>

'''2016'''

* Deogarh Bus accident relief and rescue operation<ref name="The Times of India April 2016">{{cite web | title=27 killed as bus falls in Deogarh gorge, 10 hurt - Bhubaneswar News | website=The Times of India | date=2016-04-17 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/27-killed-as-bus-falls-in-Deogarh-gorge-10-hurt/articleshow/51868123.cms | access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref> * Bhubaneswar SUM hospital fire - Coordination of patient movement<ref name="Barik 2016">{{cite web | last=Barik | first=Satyasundar | title=22 killed in Bhubaneswar's SUM Hospital fire | website=The Hindu | date=2016-10-17 | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/22-killed-in-Bhubaneswars-SUM-Hospital-fire/article16074835.ece | access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref> * Chilika Boat capsize Incident - Rescue operation<ref name="The Times of India Dec 2016">{{cite web | title=3 killed, 8 missing as boat capsizes in Odisha's Chilika lake - Bhubaneswar News | website=The Times of India | date=2016-12-10 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/3-killed-8-missing-as-boat-capsizes-in-Odishas-Chilika-lake/articleshow/55909462.cms | access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref>

'''2019'''

* Cyclone Fani relief and rescue.

'''2020'''

* Cyclone Amphan relief and rescue<ref name="Desk 2020">{{cite web | last=Desk | first=Express Web | title=Cyclone Amphan: Protests erupt as Bengal reels under storm aftermath; Army deployed for restoration work | website=The Indian Express | date=2020-05-23 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/cyclone-amphan-ndrf-army-mamata-banerjee-restoration-work-6424209/ | access-date=2020-06-02}}</ref><ref name="https://www.outlookindia.com/ 2020">{{cite web | title=Cyclone Amphan: 10 NDRF, 15 ODRAF units positioned in coastal Odisha | website=outlookindia.com/ | date=2020-05-17 | url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/cyclone-amphan-10-ndrf-15-odraf-units-positioned-in-coastal-odisha/1837504 | access-date=2020-06-02}}</ref>

===2021=== ====Elephant rescue incident==== On 24 September 2021, an Odisha TV journalist died while another was critically injured when the boat they were travelling to cover the elephant rescue overturned due to the river current.<ref>{{cite news |title=Odisha TV journalist dies, another critical, after boat to rescue elephant capsizes |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/odisha-tv-journalist-dies-another-critical-after-boat-to-rescue-elephant-capsizes-101632509531945.html |access-date=25 September 2021 |work=Hindustan Times |date=25 September 2021 |language=en}}</ref> An ODRAF personnel also died in the incident. The elephant rescue operation was put on hold after the boat overturned. The elephant was eventually found dead after he unable to cross the river.

== Training == The ODRAF personnel have undergone training on rescue equipment operations and maintenance. In addition they have been trained ate following specialised training.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://odishapolice.gov.in/?q=node%2F208 |title=Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force. | Odisha Police |access-date=15 February 2022 |archive-date=11 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511080509/https://odishapolice.gov.in/?q=node%2F208 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* Flood Relief & Rescue Operation Training at Mukam Ghat, CRPF Training Centre, Bihar. * Under Water Diving Course and Salvage Operation at S.E.I., Kolkata * Basic Mountaineering Course at A.B.V.I., Monali, Himachal Pradesh. * T.O.T. on Disaster Management at C.I.S.F., NISA, Hyderabad. * Disaster Management Training at N.C.D.C., Nagpur. * T.O.T. Course on M.F. & C.S.S.R. at CRPF Training Centre, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. * Flood Rescue Course at N.D.R.F., Bn., Mundali, Cuttack. * Rescue & Relief Operation at I.N.S., Chilika

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* {{Official website|1=www.osdma.org/preparedness/odraf-response-force/?lang=en}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:National Disaster Response Force (Ndrf)}} Category:Emergency management in India Category:Disaster Response Forces in India