New Delhi: The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) wants to include the subject of disaster mitigation to be included in the school curriculum to train children how to deal with natural calamities and help reduce casualties.

The NDRF played a vital role in the Kerala floods disaster that shook the entire nation. 300 people have lost their lives since August 4 and around 10.40 lakh people displaced.

"The need of the hour is an awareness on natural calamities. We can train children on disaster mitigation by making it part of the school curriculum," Director General of NDRF Sanjay Kumar was quoted as saying by PTI.  

Kumar said that school children, the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and village defence force personnel can play a vital role in mitigating natural calamities like floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, or fires, given that they are trained properly to be the first responder in such disasters.

The DG of NDRF said that they have deployed their highest-ever strength in a single state in Kerala, with 207 boats and 58 teams.

The NDRF is a specialised force constituted ‘for the purpose of specialist response to a threatening disaster situation or disaster’. They have undertaken over 3000 operations all over the country till date.