Telangana SDRF makes public debut with drill at Secunderabad Boat Club
The Telangana State Disaster Response Force (TGSDRF) held its first public demonstration on Friday at the Boat Club in Secunderabad, displaying its new high-tech equipment and showcasing mock rescue demonstrations for building collapses, floods, and earthquakes.
Clad in navy blue trousers and orange full-sleeve uniforms bearing the TGSDRF logo, a group of officers led the drill while another team, dressed in yellow tracksuits, also took part. The newly-formed force comprises over 1,000 personnel drawn from the Telangana State Special Police (TGSP). Around 100 personnel from the rank of constable up to sub-inspector participated in the demonstration.
The showcase featured three types of flood-related simulations, including rescue operations during a mock drowning scenario, emergency responses during natural calamities, and high-speed manoeuvres using rafts and speed boats. Equipment received from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was also put on display, including high-tech cutters, jacks, loaders and gear used in collapsed structure search and rescue, rope rescues, and medical emergencies.
Director General of Police Jitender, addressing the gathering, said the force was conceived after the repeated flooding incidents last year. 'To reduce our dependence on the NDRF, the government sanctioned the formation of 10 SDRF units with about 1,000 personnel from TGSP. These units have been trained and equipped to operate independently,' he said.
TGSP Yousufguda Commandant Murali Krishna added that the force will be deployed not just during floods, but for any natural disaster, including earthquakes and building collapses.
All SDRF personnel underwent specialised training in swimming, river rafting and rescue techniques at NDRF centres in Cuttack, Arakkonam, Vadodara, Pune, and Vijayawada. Twelve battalions across the state now house SDRF teams, including units in Yousufguda, Adilabad, Warangal, Kothagudem, Kondapur and Nalgonda. Each team, comprising 100 members, is expected to respond within an hour to flood or rainfall-related emergencies. Hyderabad is currently served by teams from the 1st and 8th battalions.
The SDRF was officially launched on 6 December 2024 during the Vijayotsav celebrations, following Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy's directive to create a dedicated rapid-response disaster force. Senior officials including Additional DGPs Mahesh M Bhagwat, Sanjay Kumar Jain, and IGP M. Ramesh were present at the event.
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