Pawan stresses disaster management at village level for effective response

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Panchayat Raj K Pawan Kalyan has emphasised the importance of establishing disaster management systems at the village level to ensure a swift response during emergencies.
Speaking at an event marking the 20th Raising Day of the NDRF at Kondapavuluru near Vijayawada on Sunday, Pawan Kalyan highlighted that disaster response teams should be available at every panchayat to provide immediate assistance in times of crisis.
“The AP Panchayat Raj is progressing with a strong action plan. We will form response teams at the Panchayat level to rescue people during calamities, and we will ensure these teams receive the necessary training,” Pawan Kalyan stated. He acknowledged the valuable services of the NDRF, noting that Andhra Pradesh, with its long coastline, is prone to cyclones and unexpected disasters. “The lives of fishermen along the coastline are often disrupted due to these calamities,” he added.
Pawan Kalyan praised the NDRF’s contributions, mentioning that in the past 18 years, the force has saved 1,55,700 lives, evacuated 8,62,084 people to safer locations, and conducted 12,320 rescue operations. Additionally, NDRF personnel have handed over the bodies of 7,465 individuals to their families, allowing them to have a final glimpse of their loved ones.
“The role of disaster management is crucial, especially as India strives to become a developed nation by 2047. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Climate Smart Nation should be realized through the use of technology and infrastructure,” Pawan Kalyan asserted.
The Deputy Chief Minister also expressed concern over the potential consequences if the YSRCP were to come back to power in the 2024 elections, suggesting that it would lead to a disastrous situation for the state. He concluded by thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allocating funds to strengthen the public sector Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP).