Naveen offers ODRAF help for Nepal

Bhubaneswar: Seeking Centre’s intervention for early evacuation of some people, including women sportspersons, belonging to Odisha from quake-hit Nepal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today offered service of ODRAF in relief and rescue operation in the Himalayan state.
Patnaik informed the Centre that the state government was ready to send personnel belonging to the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), according to sources in the Chief Minister’s office here. He also expressed concern over the safety of some people from the state in the quake hit areas. Expressing grief over loss of human lives both in India and Nepal, Patnaik said the government of India should take steps to ensure safety of Indians in Nepal. Meanwhile, a report said that at least five women footballers including former captain of Indian women football team Shraddhnajli Samantray from Odisha had a narrow escape when the strong earthquake of 7.9 on Richter scale hit Nepal. (PTI)