Prayagraj: With the monsoon set to enter North India, nearly 1,500 trained ‘Aapda Mitras’ (disaster friends) in Prayagraj are gearing up to assist government agencies in relief and rescue operations during floods and other natural disasters. As the district is surrounded by rivers on three sides and remains vulnerable to flooding, the volunteers will work alongside disaster management teams. Across Uttar Pradesh, around 29,772 Aapda Mitras have been constituted in 25 disaster-prone districts to strengthen the state’s emergency response mechanism.District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma told TOI that the 1,500 trained volunteers in Prayagraj would be deployed for relief and rescue operations whenever required. They have been selected under the directives of the Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority. The brigade comprises NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, Scouts and Guides, and Nehru Yuva Kendra volunteers.The state government has put in place comprehensive arrangements for relief and rescue operations during floods, earthquakes, fires and other emergencies. Besides the State Disaster Management Authority, Aapda Mitra teams will be deployed in 25 districts, including Prayagraj, to support the administration during disasters.The State Disaster Management Authority has constituted Aapda Mitra brigades across these 25 districts. A total of 29,772 young volunteers have been selected and will be assigned responsibilities after completing their training. They are being trained in first aid, search and rescue, flood and earthquake relief operations, safe evacuation, communication, and other disaster management techniques.The volunteers will undergo a seven-day residential training programme at the SDRF centre in Noorpur Bhadarsa in Bijnor. Each volunteer will receive an emergency responder kit containing 15 essential items, along with a training module, identity card and certificate upon successful completion of the programme.
