Raphael Warjri

Shillong, October 12, 2023: The Meghalaya State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA) today conducted a State Level Mock Exercise in all the Districts of Meghalaya. In East Khasi Hills District the Mock Exercise was conducted at the identified locations; Polo and road from Polo towards Wahingdoh, Polo SuperMarket, Shops in around Polo area, Hotel Polo Towers, SBI building, Polo and MeECL, Lumjingshai, Samkhamti Petrol Pump, Urkaliar, Female Health Worker, School of Nursing and School of Nursing, TTC, Ganesh Das Government Hospital, Lawmali, St. Xavier’s School, Polo Pynthorumkhrah Golflink Secondary School and Shillong Secondary School, Forest Colony. The Incident Command Post, Medical Camp, Staging area, Relief Camp, Base Camp was set up in the SRGT Parking lot and open space in front of 3rd Ground Polo.

The Mock Exercise is a simulation of the 1897 earthquake and was participated by District officials, Armed Forces, Paramilitary forces, NDRF, SDRF, Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Hospitals, Schools, Colleges, NGOs, Community Members, Volunteers from various organization like Bharat Scouts and Guides, Indian Red Cross Society, NSS, Aapda Mitra Volunteers and various others agencies. Members of the National Disaster Management Authority attended in overseeing the conduct of Mock Exercise by State and District level officials and other agencies.

Following the completion of the Mock Exercise, a Debriefing session was held at the State Convention Centre wherein Chief Secretary, Shri D P Wahlang attended as the Chief Guest.

In his address, Shri D P Wahlang congratulated all the stakeholders for the successful conduct of the Mock Exercise and informed that after a gap of 9 years Meghalaya was able to conduct a large scale Mock Exercise, he called upon the MSDMA to conduct such exercise on a regular interval emphasizing more on localized mock drills, also by involving schools and colleges so as to be fully prepared when any eventualities occur.

Recalling the number of disasters happening around the world at regular intervals, which leads to significant loss of precious lives, he urged all the stakeholders to be ready and use the knowledge gained through the mock exercise to the best of their abilities, should any disaster take place.

The Chief Secretary also stressed on the up-gradation of the communication services which the Disaster Management Authority presently have in order to bridge the communication limitations and to create a more robust system which will further boost the services of the Disaster Management Authority.

During the Debriefing Session observations, views, opinions and suggestions were also shared by all the Deputy Commissioner’s and District observers of the Mock Exercise.

The Debriefing Session was also attended by Shri Sanjay Goyal, Commissioner & Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Maj. Gen Sudhir Bahl (Retd.), Senior Consultant (ME & IRS), NDMA, Shri I W Ingty and Smti M War Nongbri, Secretaries, Revenue  & Disaster Management Department among others.