New Delhi: Showing a proactive approach towards dealing with natural calamities, the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has already started training the volunteers to help people in situations like heavy rain, hailstorm and floods.

The government is picking volunteers from the age group of 18 to 40 years, and have a past experience of serving in civil defence, community service, home guard, swimming and Disaster Response Operations. The retired soldiers from the women’s army are being given preference.]

The state government in association with the State Disaster Management Authority, has also started expanding the ‘Aapda Mitra’ and ‘Aapda Sakhi’ schemes in 25 districts.

‘Aapda Mitras’ and ‘Aapda Sakhis’ are responsible for providing flood protection equipment, safety kits, and training to deal with any disaster. Under the scheme, people will be provided assistance to deal with natural calamities such as rain, cloudburst, hailstorm, etc.

With help from the Revenue Department, the authorities are working expeditiously on this action plan for relief and disaster management.

Under this scheme, 10 lakh women of Self Help Groups will be given training in disaster management. Disaster Management Helpline 1070 will also be integrated with 112 helplines.