‘Disaster management teams just a call away’

The Pune District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has been on high alert after the serial blasts in Mumbai. District authorities said they were willing to reach out to their Mumbai counterparts.

District Collector Vikas Deshmukh said all possible help would be extended. The DDMA has representatives from all departments. Resident deputy collector Anil Pawar,a member of DDMA team,said the district has invoked sections under the Bombay Police Act.

DDMA officer Vitthal Banote said they were ready to send the team at a call. The same has been done with the PMC’s disaster management cell,officer Ganesh Sonawane said.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) second-in-command PG Varghese said two teams were ready. “We are ready to send our team comprising 100 people when required,” he said.

The NDRF is normally pressed into service for relief and rehabilitation operations.