Bhubaneswar: In a key decision aimed at strengthening disaster response mechanisms, the Odisha government has decided to designate the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) as the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).

The decision was taken during a review meeting on the state's disaster management system and infrastructure, chaired by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari.

The Minister said steps would be taken to transform the SDRF into a dedicated response force with enhanced operational capabilities, improved infrastructure, and increased manpower to bolster disaster preparedness across the state. He also directed officials to develop ODRAF into a specialised force exclusively entrusted with disaster response and management responsibilities.

The SDRF headquarters will be set up in the proposed Disaster Management Building (Biparjyaya Parichalana Bhawan). The force will be expanded with the addition of 10 new units, taking its total strength from 20 to 30 units. These units will be strategically deployed across the state to ensure faster emergency response.

The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), in coordination with the Police Department, will prepare a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). This will cover operational responsibilities, training protocols, infrastructure, equipment, recruitment, and human resource management.

Officials were also asked to document operational challenges faced during the recent flood response to enhance future preparedness.

Separate battalion structure

Meanwhile, steps will be taken to create a separate battalion structure with a designated officer-in-charge to command the ODRAF Battalion.

Reviewing the force’s performance during the recent floods, the Minister lauded ODRAF for its exemplary service under extremely challenging conditions. As of August 4, the force had deployed 59 teams comprising 674 trained personnel across nine flood-affected districts, supported by 59 rescue boats.

ODRAF personnel conducted nearly 58 hours of night rescue operations, saving 1,393 people, including 852 men and 541 women. The teams also evacuated 19 pregnant women, transported six snakebite victims to healthcare facilities in time, carried out 25 emergency medical evacuations, rescued 213 livestock, and cleared 18 fallen trees to restore road connectivity.

In total, ODRAF provided 490 hours of uninterrupted rescue and relief services in flood-hit areas.

The Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025 provides for the establishment of a State Disaster Response Force in every state. In line with the operational framework issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the governing body of OSDMA has recommended designating ODRAF as Odisha’s SDRF.