New Delhi, June 26 -- The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has decided to make its mountaineering program an annual exercise to strengthen rescue preparedness in high-altitude areas, the force's Director General Piyush Anand announced on Thursday.

Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the third NDRF Mountaineering Expedition, 'Shaurya', Anand said the move aimed to train rescuers to tackle disasters in India's mountainous regions, where such emergencies are becoming more frequent and severe.

"We have decided to launch this campaign (Mountaineering Program) annually... Natural disasters are common in the hilly states of India, and their frequency and severity are increasing," Anand said.

He highlighted the urgent need for operation...