A district-level mock drill simulating a 7.7 magnitude earthquake was conducted in Wokha under the National Earthquake Preparedness Exercise (NEPEX), organised by the District Administration Wokha and the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on 30th April 2026.
The exercise began at 8:00 AM with the simulation of an earthquake, followed by the sounding of an emergency siren by the Information & Public Relations Department, Wokha. At 8:05 AM, the Deputy Commissioner informed all Command Staff to assemble at the District Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC) located at the DC Conference Hall and activated the Incident Response System.
Command Staff comprising the DC, Superintendent of Police, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Chief Medical Officer, District Public Relations Officer and District Planning Officer prepared the Incident Action Plan. Departments switched to wireless radio communication while information from incident sites was gathered and Emergency Response Teams, including Aapda Mitra volunteers, were mobilised.
Security personnel were directed to secure incident sites and regulate traffic, while Incident Response Teams assembled at the staging area at Local Ground. Mock casualties were placed at designated locations and strike teams comprising SDRF, Fire & Emergency Services and medical teams were deployed to incident sites.
The drill covered multiple scenarios across Wokha. At Police Point, a fire incident and collapse structure rescue was carried out involving five volunteers with injuries and one simulated death. At the District Economics & Statistics Office, evacuation and rescue operations involved five volunteers, including one death and two differently-abled evacuations. At Dr. Nchumbemo Clinic, a collapse structure rescue was conducted with three volunteers, while at Saron Colony a landslide scenario was simulated with road clearance and rescue operations supported by a JCB. At Santsuo School, collapse structure rescue involved five student volunteers with injuries and one death. At Doyang Dam, rescue operations involved five volunteers, including one death and two differently-abled evacuations.
Medical teams provided first aid and transported casualties to relief camps. Traffic police regulated movement at all sites, while wireless communication systems were maintained between DEOC and field locations. The staging area at Local Ground was equipped with tents arranged by Assam Rifles, seating, a public address system set up by the DPRO, and logistical support including buses, ambulances, pick-up vehicles, fire tenders and wireless handsets.
After completion of rescue operations, Search and Rescue Team commanders reported to the Operation Section Chief, who relayed information to the Incident Commander. The Incident Commander then reported to the Responsible Officer, with updates also shared with the State Emergency Operations Centre through the Liaison Officer.
The exercise will continue at night under the code name “Operation Night Guard,” simulating an air raid and blackout exercise. Various government departments and community first responders actively participated. The drill concluded with demobilisation of Incident Response Teams at the staging area, followed by observer remarks and closing remarks by the Deputy Commissioner.
(DPRO and IA, Wokha)
