DPM Shrestha directs security forces to remain prepared for disaster mitigation

By A Staff Reporter,Chitwan, June 3: Disaster Management Training School (DMTS) of the Armed Police Force, Chitwan, has rescued 802 people in 243 disaster incidents so far. 

In the total 243 incidents, 317 bodies have also been rescued by the team on different dates after the establishment of the DMTS in 2011, according to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Chief of the School, Manish Thapa.

The school gave the information during the search-rescue simulation exercise performed at Trishuli river in Kurintar, Chitwan on Thursday. 

During the exercise, rescuers showcased their skills about rescue of those who have been swept away by the river with the help of raft, ropes, and deep divers.

On the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha said that despite being rich in natural resources and beauty, Nepal is always at the centre of possibility of many natural calamities like fires, earthquakes and other rain-induced disasters. 

DPM Shrestha stressed on timely preparation and workout for the mitigation of disaster consequences. In the task of disaster management, the role being played by the security bodies has been crucial in saving hundreds of thousands of lives on different scales of natural disasters, DPM Shrestha said.

The establishment of DMTS in Chitwan has played a vital role by producing skilled manpower in combating any disaster in Nepal. Skill may not always work in disaster management and rescue task, but what is needed in the field is strong commitment and daring, said DPM Shrestha. 

The security forces engaged purely in the disaster management and rescue task need to remain ready all the time as the monsoon season is about to begin, he said.  

Similarly, Inspector General of APF, Raju Aryal said that despite all odds and lacking required infrastructure, the APF has been fulfilling the mandate handed by the government in disaster management. 

So far, the DMTS has produced 74 deep divers, including 19 newly passed-out trainees on Thursday. 

The APF had first produced its 25 deep divers sending them to Bangladesh for the training in 2015, informed IGP Aryal. 

He said that the APF has now been planning to set up another training school to fight wildfire incidents. He also informed that the APF Headquarters had forwarded the draft of the concept to the Ministry of Home Affairs. 

On the occasion, Internal Affairs Minister Dobate Bishwakarma of Gandaki Province, Inspector General of Nepal Police Basant Bahadur Kunwar, Chief Investigation Director Hutaraj Thapa, and other local representatives of Kurintwar Ward Number-4 were present.

The newly passed-out 19 deep drivers were imparted five weeks’ training in Sunsari and Phewa Lake of Pokhara. On the occasion, DPM Shrestha honoured outstanding personnel in the training.