NDRF team conducts mock drill in Dharwad to equip public with life-saving skills

DHARWAD: The disastrous collapse in March 2019 of an under-construction building in Kumareshwar Nagar near the New Central Bus Stand in Dharwad, in which 19 people died and over a 100 sustained injuries, resulted in a rising chorus for the setting up of a unit of the National Disaster Response Force or the State Disaster Response Force in North Karnataka. In the event, an NDRF team that reached the spot within 48 hours of the tragedy being reported helped rescue many who were trapped underneath the debris.
Although the demand for an NDRF or SDRF unit in North Karnataka is no closer to reality, a mock drill was held on Friday at the multi-storey building of the Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha to train people on the best course of action in the event of another building collapse.
The mock drill on Friday was conducted by 40 NDRF personnel from Bengaluru. The training focussed on climbing with the help of a rope, carrying injured victims on one’s shoulders and first-aid.
Dharwad deputy commissioner Nitesh Patil, also chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority, said that the collapse of the under-construction building in Kumareshwar Nagar had served as a wake-up call to one and all, including the government authorities. “The district administration and Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) have identified high-rise buildings that have grown weak with time, and asked owners to reinforce them. We have also mandated adoption of all safety norms for builders,” Patil added.
He said that life-saving skills was vital to preventing loss of lives in calamities, natural and otherwise. He called on youngsters to shoulder the responsibility of saving the lives of others in such emergencies.
Dharwad superintendent of police P Krishnakanth, deputy commander of NDRF Battalion 10 Sukhendra Datta and HDMC commissioner Suresh Itnal were among those in attendance at the mock drill.