ITANAGAR, Feb 6: State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) Secretary Dani Sulu today, while reminding that Arunachal Pradesh falls under Seismic Zone VI, informed that the state has been conducting regular mock drills and simulations of 7.8 richter scale  earthquake scenarios since 2002 to strengthen response readiness, resource mobilization, and inter-departmental coordination. He stressed the importance of empowering State and District Disaster Management Authorities to lead response efforts at the local level.
He was speaking at a Table Top Exercise on a Multi-State Earthquake Scenario, conducted by the Department of Disaster Management in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of Home Affairs.
Col. Nadeem Arshad (Retd.), Senior Consultant (OPS), NDMA, informed that the multi-state exercise is aimed at assessing preparedness, strengthening inter-state coordination, and enhancing response mechanisms. He emphasized that disasters do not recognize man-made state boundaries, highlighting the importance of coordinated planning and joint response.
NDMA also presented a detailed earthquake scenario, emphasizing timely decision-making, effective communication, and coordinated action among stakeholders. Officials highlighted emerging risks, including 32 identified high-risk glacial lakes in the state, which increase vulnerability to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), underscoring the need for continuous monitoring and preparedness.
The exercise provided a platform to review preparedness, identify gaps, and strengthen coordination among departments and agencies. A full-scale mock exercise is scheduled to be conducted on February 9, 2026.
Along with Arunachal, the exercise is being conducted simultaneously in Mizoram and Meghalaya.
District administration along with the DDMOs from West Kameng, Pakke-Kessang,Papum Pare and ICR participated virtually, apart from representatives from key departments and emergency response agencies such as BRO and ITBP.

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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
Phone: 0360-2212313

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