A Multi-State Level Mock Exercise on Earthquake Disasters was conducted by Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), in collaboration with National Disaster Management Authority on 17th November 2022 across Nagaland.

In the press briefing Home Commissioner, Abhijit Sinha, IAS, mentioned that the details of the mock exercise was sent from all the districts to the control center at State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC). Overall it was a combined exercise in which all the departments took part and based on the inputs given, they modulated their response to reach out to the districts with the help that they required. He further said that throughout the exercise they could find out how responsive the organization was during emergency cases. He also said that the drill gave a learning experience that can be incorporated into the present plan, for example, communication channels should be more robust for disaster emergencies, and information from the districts should come more quickly. He also suggested that coordination with the Army and the Air force needed to be worked upon and mentioned that there would be more exercise in the future which will help the State in preparedness for any disaster.

Joint Advisor, IT & Comm, NDMA, Nawal Prakash, while speaking to the media said that the Mock Exercise was conducted simultaneously in three States, where the epicenter was in Assam, with tremors felt in Arunachal and Nagaland. During the exercise, the NDMA checked all the preparedness-related activities across the three States and found that the States were prepared for an earthquake disaster but there was a need for improvement, particularly in terms of communication. Prakash further said that the communication network should be strengthened because without it wrong information would be circulated. Secondly, he also said that there is a need to strengthen the medical facilities and establish field hospitals. The exercise has helped in identifying these gaps during a disaster which will help in saving the State from any future disasters.

The Mock Exercise was based on the Incident Response System (IRS) where the State/District administration organized the response to the stimulated disaster through Incident Response Team (IRT).

(Takumpula, IA)