Bhubaneswar, August 4: The Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) will be designated as State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) of the state and steps will be taken to make it a dedicated response force with enhanced operational capabilities, infrastructure and manpower to strengthen disaster response across the state.

This will be achieved in phased manner over a period of time. Similarly, steps will be taken to have a separate battalion and officer in charge who will command the ODRAF Battalion.

The decision was reiterated during a high-level review meeting on Odisha's disaster management system and infrastructure, chaired by Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari at Lok Seva Bhawan today.

The Minister emphasized the need to transform ODRAF into a professionally equipped and dedicated State Disaster Response Force capable of responding effectively to all types of natural disasters.

Reviewing ODRAF's performance during the recent flood emergency, the Minister appreciated the exemplary services rendered by the force under extremely challenging conditions.

As on August 4, ODRAF had deployed 59 teams with 674 trained personnel across nine flood-affected districts, supported by 59 rescue boats. The force conducted nearly 58 hours of night-time rescue operations, rescuing 1,393 people, including 852 men and 541 women.

The rescue teams also evacuated 19 pregnant women, shifted six snakebite victims to healthcare facilities in time, carried out 25 emergency medical evacuation operations, rescued 213 livestock & removed 18 fallen trees to restore road connectivity. Altogether, ODRAF has provided 490 hours of uninterrupted rescue and relief services in flood-affected areas.

Commending the courage, professionalism and dedication of the rescue personnel, Minister Pujari said their exemplary service has significantly strengthened Odisha's disaster response capacity & reinforced public confidence in the State's preparedness to face natural calamities.

He stressed the need to further enhance ODRAF's operational efficiency through systematic capacity building and institutional strengthening.

The Minister noted that the Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025 provides for the establishment of a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in every State.

In accordance with the operational framework issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Governing Body of the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) has recommended to designate ODRAF as Odisha's SDRF.

The Minister directed officials to operationalise the decision at the earliest and develop ODRAF into a fully dedicated State Disaster Response Force entrusted exclusively with disaster response and management responsibilities.

As part of the expansion plan, the SDRF Headquarters will be established in the proposed Disaster Management Building (Biparjyaya Parichalana Bhawan). The force will be strengthened with the addition of 10 new units, increasing its total strength from 20 to 30 units, which will be strategically stationed across the State to ensure faster emergency response.

The Minister further directed OSDMA, in coordination with the Police Department, to prepare a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) covering operational responsibilities, training standards, infrastructure, equipment, recruitment and human resource management.

He also called for detailed documentation of the operational challenges encountered during the recent flood response to strengthen future preparedness.

Reviewing the post-flood situation, Pujari directed officials to expedite damage assessment in all affected districts and ensure timely completion of assessment relating to crop loss, agricultural land, vegetable cultivation, houses, schools, Anganwadi Centres and other public infrastructure so that compensation and assistance reach affected beneficiaries without delay.

The meeting was attended by Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Managing Director, Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), Dr. Kamal Lochan Mishra, Advisor,OSDMA, Susmita Behera, Executive Director, Siddhartha Shankar Acharya, Financial Advisor-cum-Executive Director & other senior officers.