Himachal SDRF retains top spot at national rescue event

Shimla: In a boost for Himachal Pradesh's disaster response capabilities, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has secured first position at the National Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR) Competition for the second consecutive year.At a felicitation ceremony held at Oak Over on Sunday, the SDRF team presented the trophy to chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who lauded the achievement. "It is a proud moment for a small state like Himachal Pradesh to top a national-level event," he said.The competition, held at the 8th Battalion NDRF campus in Ghaziabad from March 9 to 11, saw participation from 30 teams representing 27 states and Union territories. The HP SDRF team also set a record by completing the exercise in 41 minutes.Highlighting the state's vulnerability to natural disasters, Sukhu noted the widespread damage witnessed in 2023 and 2025, and appreciated the role of SDRF, home guards, fire department and civil defence in rescue operations.On the occasion, he also launched the Home Guard Volunteer Management System to improve coordination and reviewed the Fire Safety Code 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness.