NDMA conducts mock exercise in Haryana on earthquake

A State-level mock exercise on earthquake was conducted by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in Haryana.

Facts :

• This mock exercise was done for assessing the preparedness and response mechanism of the State Government in a disaster situation.
• The exercise was conducted in collaboration with the Haryana State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).
• This is the first State-level Mock Exercise on earthquake covering all districts of the State and will help improve the preparedness and response mechanism in the event of any major disaster, including an earthquake.
• The exercise simulated an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter Scale with its epicentre at West of Gurugram along the Jaipur Ridge and the Sohna Fault line.
• The simulation exercise was conducted simultaneously at 122 select locations, including hospitals, shopping malls, schools, high-rise residential buildings and major hazardous units, spread across all 22 districts to assess and improve the administration’s capacity in mobilising resources and reaching out to the affected communities swiftly.
• The exercise conducted on the principle of Incident Response System (IRS), which identifies stakeholders and clearly attributes roles and responsibilities to each one of them.
• The state-wide exercise started with a siren indicating the occurrence of tremors. Everybody ducked under the tables while covering their heads. Once the tremors stopped, evacuation drills were conducted. Soon afterwards, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) was activated.
• Simultaneously, EOCs at the districts also got activated, assessed the damage, formed rescue teams under Incident Commanders and dispatched them to the respective locations.
• Rescue drills were conducted in coordination with various agencies, such as Traffic control, Fire Fighting department, Ambulances, Police and Civil Defence.
• People buried under the rubble were rescued and sent to hospitals after administering preliminary first aid.
• After the drill a post-exercise analysis was carried out by NDMA, in which all concerned officials took part. Independent observers from Army shared their feedback and suggested ways to further streamline response mechanisms.
• The exercise was preceded by an orientation conference followed by a coordination Conference and a tabletop exercise which is conducted through videoconferencing with all districts from the State Capital.
• These preparatory meetings were conducted to ensure the smooth facilitation of the exercise.

Background :

• Haryana falls in the seismic zone IV, III, & II.
• Moreover, tremors have been felt in the State whenever there is an earthquake in the Himalayan foothills due to its proximity to the hill States.
• The State has witnessed rapid industrial-residential urbanisation in the recent past. An earthquake can cause major damage in terms of lives and infrastructure.

Analysis :

• The exercise will help in filling gaps, ensuring better communication and improving coordination among various stakeholders and agencies.
• It will also generate awareness among the local population about the Do’s and Don’ts to be followed before, during and after an earthquake.
• It will enhance preparedness and ensure a swift response by reducing adhocism in response.
• NDMA has so far conducted more than 600 mock exercises in different States and Union Territories for various disaster situations in its efforts to improve preparedness and response during for various disaster situations.
• This mock drill will ensure better response in the event of a disaster to reduce loss of lives.
   

By: Harman Sandhu