ITANAGAR, Nov 17: The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NMDA), organized a Multi-State Mock Exercise (ME) on Earthquake Disaster scenario on Thursday across all districts of Arunachal Pradesh. The response mechanism for Mock Exercise is based on the Incident Response System (IRS) notified by the Government of Arunachal Pradesh. Which shall be executed through Incident Response Team(IRT).The objective of the mock drill was to review the emergency preparedness plan of all the stakeholders and other responding agency and evaluate standard operating procedure, so that concerned persons would deliver their duties effectively while keeping in cognizance of life and property.
Major General Sudhir Bahl (Retd), Sr Consultant, NDMA, Govt of India, coordinated the overall event. During the mock exercise, he highlighted the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders as per Incident Response System, reviewed the DM Plans, emergency support functions, public awareness, and identified gaps. Five sites for mock action were selected across districts which includes schools, government office, residential area, hospital, bridge, IOC Depot etc
Enacting the 8.7 Richter Scale Earthquake Scenario, siren was blown at 0900 Hrs. Assuming massive destruction of road, buildings, communication, immediate actions and business continuity check was done by Incident Response Teams across the districts as well as at the state level. Situation reports from the districts were collected through satellite phones, emails, and WT Message. Personnel from NDRF, SDRF, Indian Army, CRPF, ITBP, BSF, Police,Assam Riffles, etc were used in the search and rescue operation of victims. NGOs, community volunteers, AAPDA Mitra, civil societies also actively participated in the Mock Exercise.
During the de-briefing SDMAs were asked to share good point, input, and shortcomings experienced during the mock exercise in the respective district. Most of the district mentioned that lack of communication network as major issue faced including shortage of search and rescue equipment.
Major General Sudhir Bahl (Retd) advised the SDMA and DDMAs on the importance of multi-agency response and coordination. Further, proper traffic management during disaster, following SOPs of setting up relief camp, proper implementation of building norms, implementation of school DM plans, hospital preparedness to handle large causalities, etc as crucial to disaster management during time of crisis.
Major General Jarken Gamlin (Retd) shared his experience of rescue and relief in the Nepal earthquake that occurred on 25th April 2015. He shared various issues faced during the rescue operation and advised the SDMA and DDMA to be prepared for such earthquake.  
Secretary, Disaster Management thanked the NDMA for the support in conducting the mock exercise. He shared how the mock exercise held in 2020 helped in covid management.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
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