Onagawa Mayor Yoshiaki Suda on Sunday praised the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for its rescue work during the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that had struck the Japanese town in 2011.
Referring to the NDRF as an 'empowering force', Suda conveyed his appreciation via Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
Singh, who is currently in Japan to participate in the third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, later took to twitter to share Suda's praise for the force.
"Visited Onagawa city today which was badly hit by 2011 disaster. NDRF did commendable rescue work here in the aftermath of the Earthquake," he posted.
"Mayor of Onagawa Mr. Yoshiaki Suda praised the NDRF rescue work in 2011 and called it an 'empowering force'" he added.
The March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami heavily damaged Onagawa, leaving the town centre destroyed. According to reports, the tsunami reached 15 metres in height and left 870 people dead.