File photo of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy
The Andhra Pradesh government is yet respond to a suggestion to set up two teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in the state, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Vice-Chairman Marri Shashidhar Reddy said in Hyderabad today.
The NDMA had suggested that the Andhra Pradesh government station two teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in Hyderabad and provide land for stationing them, Shashidhar Reddy said.
"We have not yet received any response from the Andhra Pradesh state government. Hyderabad being the capital city, we have seen several incidents of building collapse, industrial disaster and even terror attack. We have to be prepared (in advance) and not think about disasters after they happen," he said.
"Two teams drawn from the NDRF battalion located at Mangalagiri in Guntur district can be stationed here. Give us land and we will keep two teams ready in Hyderabad," he said.
Referring to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy's recent statement about plans to set up of a battalion of AP State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) on the lines of the NDRF, Shashidhar Reddy said, "We had been asking the Andhra Pradesh state government to set up its own Disaster Response Force for the last two years and I had also written to the CM. Finally, after Cyclone Phailin, an announcement was made."
NDMA would extend all assistance to the proposed SDRF to guide them, equip them and train them, he said.
Referring to widespread rains that lashed AP last month, Reddy said as per preliminary estimates, the rains have caused a loss of Rs 8,600 crore.
A central team would visit the state once a final estimate report is prepared, he said, stressing on the need to take a relook at norms related to payment of compensation in case of natural disasters.