Panchayats Disaster Management in Palgar District, Maharashtra

A set of images depicts tools in the Maharashtra Palgar disaster response suite. |Picture source: Special arrangement

The 250g panchayats in Pargar District, Maharashtra have been equipped with a specially designed disaster response kit provided by the National Disaster Management Agency for use in emergency situations in rural areas. Disaster Management Officials in Palgar Region in Vivekananda Kadam said residents of the 259 villages will receive disaster management training in May.

Earlier, such kits were distributed only in the Taluka layer and in the Tehsildars of the Fire Brigade. This is the first time Gram Panchayats has received a disaster kit.

Mr Kadam said the National Disaster Management Agency (SDMA) handed over the kit to the Palgar Regional Disaster Management Agency (DDMA) on Wednesday as natural and man-made disasters in the region are prone to natural and man-made disasters.

“There are 463 gram panchayats in Palgahr district, of which 259 will receive the kits in the first phase. All these villages are situational near rivers, lakes and the sea that face natural calamities such as floods and cyclones. Palghar has eight talukas. From Vasai to Talasari, we have a coastline, a cyclone-prone zone. The district also has many industrial pockets, making it vulnerable to Man-made fires and chemical accidents in Dhanu, Vasai and Virar in low-lying areas.

“The area is also vulnerable to earthquakes and since November 2018 in areas such as Dhanu, some have been classified as earthquake groups. With this kit, villagers in the disaster can prevent the loss of life and property before the search and rescue teams arrive at the disaster site,” the official said.

Each kit contains a first aid box, 6-foot floating and foldable stretcher, life jacket, safety helmet, imboots, gloves, safety nets and 30-meter partner rope. “The kit has arrived at the Block Development Officer (BDO), from where it is distributed to Gram panchayat, and at least 4 to 5 people will be selected, who will be trained in disaster management training such as swimming ability in floods, how to rescue, first aid, etc. The kit is designed to provide initial medical services and ensure initial medical services, and ensure the safety of first responders and encounter safe transportation.

In 2024, the region received a permanent National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team of 45 personnel, including officials.

Mr Kadam added: “We will start a one-month training period for people from their respective villages in May because we want to prepare before the monsoon hits the area.”