Haringhata (West Bengal), Feb 27 (NationPress) The National Capacity Building Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) and Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR) Competition 2026 successfully concluded on Friday.

Hosted by the 2nd Battalion of the NDRF at their facility in Haringhata, located in the Nadia district of West Bengal, the event gathered teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) across seven states in the eastern and northeastern regions, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tripura, and West Bengal. The Disaster Management Group (DMG) from Kolkata Police also contributed to the competition.

A senior NDRF official stated, "This event marks a pivotal moment in enhancing our disaster response capabilities while encouraging inter-agency cooperation during emergencies."

Present at the closing ceremony were Sanjay Singh, the director general of Civil Defence in West Bengal, along with Bharat Bhushan Vaid, the DIG for the East & Northeastern Zone of NDRF. The event also included officers, rescuers, participants, and their families, making it a memorable occasion.

According to the official, "This exceptional competition was crafted to serve as a platform for fortifying national capacity by providing SDRF teams with standardized training and an opportunity to engage in a competitive yet collaborative environment. The focus was on real-time scenario exercises, including structural assessments, victim extrication drills, and medical response training."

"It also assessed team coordination, leadership, and technical rescue operations, ensuring that teams were not only technically qualified but also effective in cooperative disaster response," the official elaborated.

Teams participated in a week-long pre-competition training under the supervision of NDRF specialists, establishing a robust foundation for the competitive scenarios. They were also equipped with advanced rescue tools to boost their operational effectiveness.

Female rescuers from Bihar SDRF showcased their skills, and the DMG Kolkata's K9 Squad also participated, underscoring the diverse capabilities of the involved teams.

The competition was initiated by Piyush Anand, DG of NDRF, aimed at enhancing the responsiveness of state SDRF teams and empowering them to manage complex disaster situations effectively.

Additionally, the event sought to share best practices, facilitate inter-agency collaboration, and augment India's overall disaster response framework.

Bihar SDRF triumphed, winning first place, while Tripura SDRF secured the second position, illustrating the exemplary teamwork, technical skills, and leadership shown by all teams. This competition underscored the NDRF's commitment to capacity building, preparing teams for real-world disaster scenarios and paving the way for future advancements in disaster preparedness and response.

The concluding event of the competition is scheduled for the second week of March at 8 Bn NDRF in Ghaziabad, where it will expand to include teams from additional regions, further enhancing national disaster resilience.

"This event signifies a major advancement in India's disaster response readiness, establishing the groundwork for improved coordination and a more robust national disaster management framework," the official concluded.