UP aims for zero fatalities in flood management; Technology-driven strategies to enhance preparedness and response

LUCKNOW: Emphasising a “zero loss of life” objective in flood and water-related disasters, Uttar Pradesh director general of police (DGP) Rajeev Krishna on Friday said the state is adopting a technology-driven, multi-agency strategy focused on prevention, preparedness and rapid response.

Addressing a national seminar on “Flood and Flood-Related Disaster Management” at Surya Auditorium in Lucknow Cantonment, the DGP underlined that recurring floods affect millions annually and cannot be addressed by any single department or state in isolation.

The seminar, jointly organised by the Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (UPSDMA) and Central Command, brought together officials from central and state agencies, armed forces and disaster management institutions to deliberate on flood mitigation strategies and coordination mechanisms.

Among those present were state Water Resources and Flood Control Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, UPSDMA vice-chairman Lt Gen Yogendra Dimri, principal secretary (revenue) Aparna U, Bihar State Disaster Management Authority vice-chairman Dr Uday Kant Mishra and Central Command chief Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta.

Krishna said effective flood management hinges on seamless coordination among police, disaster response forces, civil administration and local communities. “Our goal is to ensure zero fatalities by strengthening preparedness and ensuring swift deployment of resources,” he said.

Five-pillar framework

Outlining UP Police’s disaster response blueprint, the DGP said it is anchored in five pillars, prevention, preparedness, prediction, protection and prompt response. He noted that the state’s disaster management capabilities have expanded significantly since the formation of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in 2017.

At present, the state has 17 Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) flood relief companies comprising 51 platoons, along with six SDRF companies with 18 teams. Nearly 2,500 trained personnel remain on round-the-clock standby to tackle flood situations and other emergencies, he said.

Based on vulnerability mapping, 44 districts have been identified as flood-prone, including 18 highly sensitive, 12 sensitive and 14 moderately vulnerable districts. Resources and trained personnel have been strategically deployed across these regions to minimise risk and response time.

Modern equipment, intensive training

Highlighting capacity enhancement, Krishna said rescue teams are equipped with motorboats, life jackets, life buoys, searchlights, scuba gear, underwater communication systems and advanced ambulances.

He added that flood relief units are undergoing a 45-day specialised training programme from May 16 to June 30 at various river ghats. The training covers boat handling, scuba diving, rope rescue, CPR, first aid and relief distribution to improve field readiness.

Focus on ghat safety

Pointing to a critical concern, the DGP said most water-related deaths in Uttar Pradesh occur not during floods but at religious gatherings, fairs and idol immersion events. To address this, police have implemented a comprehensive SOP for ghat safety, including barricading of danger zones, warning signage, improved lighting, public announcements, regulated boat operations and mandatory life jacket use.

Citing Mahakumbh 2025, Krishna said the event witnessed zero drowning fatalities despite massive pilgrim attendance, attributing the success to meticulous planning, deployment of divers and constant monitoring.

UP-112 central to response

Krishna also highlighted the role of UP-112, whose 24x7 Emergency Operations Centre enables real-time tracking of resources, inter-agency coordination and prompt emergency response.

He stressed that disaster management must be treated as a continuous process rather than reactive action, calling for regular mock drills, enhanced public participation and greater use of technology to build a resilient framework against future flood threats.