Niuland district organised the Nagaland Emergency Preparedness Exercise (NEPEx) with a scenario of an earthquake of 7.7 magnitude stricking Niuland Town at 8:00 AM resulting in massive buildings collapse, damaging 600 houses, road blockade and damage of live wires. The mock drill simulated where about 1,200 people were been affected by building collapse, main electric transmission line from Dimapur to Niuland has been damaged and the whole district was black out, drinking water supply and pipeline has also been damaged. While 5 people were killed and 18 were injured and 40 people missing expected to be trapped under debris. 3 seriously affected incident site have been reported in the district one in Shepherd School and the others at CHC Niuland and DC office.

Immediately after the earthquake siren were alerted, Incident response team reported to DEOC after which Deputy Commissioner & RO activated the IRS. Immediate response to the situation was done by activation of onsite/ off-site Emergency Response plan, evacuation plan, restoration of electricity, water supply and communication system, setting up of relief camps at public ground, setting up of temporary hospital medical aid, mobilization of SDRF, F&ES, Planning section, logistic section were set up at public ground.

Observers of the event, Asst. Commandant Y I Lotha 22 AR, Vitoka Yepthomi EAC Aghunaqa and C Apong Yimchunger ADCP Niuland shared the insightful suggestions and congratulate for a successful drill exercise.

The drill concluded with the debriefing from DC Niuland, T L Kiusumong Tikhir. The DC stated that the purpose of the exercise was to generate awareness among the communities and different agencies on how to establish mechanism for effective response to any disaster particularly earthquake with Nagaland state being in Seismic Zone V. The DC also acknowledged the observers, the officers and personnel involved in the smooth and effective conduct of NEPEx in the district.

(Vihepu IA Niuland)