Odisha to upgrade ODRAF into SDRF with 30 units statewide
Synopsis
Odisha's flood rescue numbers made the case for itself: 1,393 people saved, 490 hours of operations, and 59 teams across nine districts. Now the state is turning that performance into policy — upgrading ODRAF into a legally mandated SDRF, expanding from 20 to 30 units, and giving the force its own headquarters and command structure.
Key Takeaways
The Odisha government announced on 4 August that ODRAF will be designated as the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) .
The force will expand from 20 to 30 units , with a dedicated headquarters at the proposed Biparjyaya Parichalana Bhawan .
The upgrade is mandated by the Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025 , which requires every state to establish an SDRF.
During the recent flood emergency, ODRAF deployed 59 teams and 674 personnel , rescuing 1,393 people across nine districts .
The force logged 490 hours of uninterrupted operations, including 58 hours of night-time rescues.
OSDMA and the Police Department have been directed to prepare a comprehensive SOP covering training, recruitment, and operations.
The Odisha government on Tuesday, 4 August announced that the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) will be formally designated as the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), with a phased transformation plan to build it into a dedicated, professionally equipped response unit with expanded manpower, infrastructure, and operational capabilities across the state.
Key Developments
The decision was formalised at a high-level review meeting on Odisha's disaster management system, chaired by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari at Lok Seva Bhawan, Bhubaneswar. The Minister underscored the urgency of converting ODRAF into a force capable of responding effectively to all categories of natural disasters.
Under the expansion plan, ODRAF's total strength will grow from 20 to 30 units, with new units strategically stationed across the state to cut emergency response times. A dedicated SDRF Headquarters will be established in the proposed Disaster Management Building (Biparjyaya Parichalana Bhawan). The force will also receive a separate battalion and a designated officer in charge to command it.
Legal Mandate Behind the Move
The upgrade is not merely administrative — it is legally driven. The Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025 mandates the creation of an SDRF in every state. In line with the operational framework issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Governing Body of the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) has already recommended designating ODRAF as Odisha's SDRF, giving the transition formal institutional backing.
ODRAF's Flood Response: Numbers That Made the Case
The announcement came on the heels of a significant flood emergency in which ODRAF's performance drew direct praise from the Minister. As of 4 August, the force had deployed 59 teams comprising 674 trained personnel and 59 rescue boats across nine flood-affected districts.
The teams conducted nearly 58 hours of night-time rescue operations, rescuing 1,393 people — including 852 men and 541 women. They also evacuated 19 pregnant women, shifted six snakebite victims to healthcare facilities, carried out 25 emergency medical evacuations, rescued 213 livestock, and cleared 18 fallen trees to restore road connectivity. In total, ODRAF logged 490 hours of uninterrupted rescue and relief operations during the flood response.
Pujari commended the 'courage, professionalism and dedication' of the rescue personnel, stating their service had reinforced public confidence in the state's disaster preparedness.
What Comes Next
Minister Pujari directed OSDMA, in coordination with the Police Department, to prepare a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) covering operational responsibilities, training standards, infrastructure, equipment, recruitment, and human resource management. He also called for detailed documentation of challenges encountered during the recent flood response to inform future preparedness planning. The phased expansion is expected to significantly reduce response times and extend the force's geographic reach across Odisha.
Point of View
2025 left states with little choice but to formalise their SDRFs. The real question is whether the expansion from 20 to 30 units translates into faster on-ground response or merely a larger organisational chart. Odisha has historically been ahead of most Indian states on disaster preparedness, but the gap between institutional design and field execution has tripped up even well-resourced forces. The SOP directive is the right instinct; whether it produces a living document or a shelf document will determine whether this upgrade matters when the next cyclone hits.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ODRAF and SDRF?
ODRAF (Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force) is the existing state-level disaster response unit. SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) is a formally mandated designation under the Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025, which requires every state to establish such a force with defined operational standards, infrastructure, and command structure. Designating ODRAF as the SDRF gives it a stronger legal and institutional footing.
Why is Odisha upgrading ODRAF to SDRF now?
The Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025 legally mandates every state to establish an SDRF. The NDMA's operational framework and a recommendation from OSDMA's Governing Body have together prompted Odisha to formalise the transition. The decision was also accelerated by ODRAF's strong performance during the recent flood emergency.
How many units will the new Odisha SDRF have?
The SDRF will expand from 20 to 30 units — an addition of 10 new units — which will be strategically stationed across Odisha to ensure faster emergency response. A dedicated headquarters will be established in the proposed Biparjyaya Parichalana Bhawan.
What did ODRAF achieve during the recent Odisha floods?
As of 4 August, ODRAF deployed 59 teams with 674 personnel and 59 rescue boats across nine flood-affected districts. The force rescued 1,393 people, conducted 58 hours of night-time operations, evacuated 19 pregnant women, and logged 490 hours of uninterrupted rescue and relief services.
Who is overseeing the ODRAF-to-SDRF transformation?
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari is leading the process. He has directed OSDMA, in coordination with the Police Department, to prepare a comprehensive SOP covering training, recruitment, infrastructure, and operational responsibilities for the upgraded force.
