Earthquake mock drill successfully conducted across Sikkim

GANGTOK, (IPR): A simulated earthquake mock drill organised by Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) in partnership with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was successfully carried out across the six districts of Sikkim today.

The exercise commenced in the morning, simulating various disaster scenarios in different regions triggered by an imagined earthquake of 7.2 magnitude that supposedly hit the State at 9:37 am, with its epicentre in Lachen, North Sikkim.

Chief secretary V.B. Pathak, also the Responsible Officer (RO), monitored the drill from the SSDMA Control Room, alongside Namrata Thapa, relief commissioner-cum-secretary, Land Revenue and Disaster Management department; Tashi Cho Cho, secretary, Home department; Annapurna Alley, secretary, Information and Public Relations department; Khilburna Gurung, IGP, Home Guards and Civil Defence, and State government officers from various line departments.

The entire operation was overseen by Major General Sudhir Bahl (Retd), lead consultant (ME & IRS), NDMA, supported by officials from the NDMA and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and air rescue operations coordinated by Group Captain Abhijeet Wyas from Eastern Air Command, Shillong.

The drill began with a comprehensive briefing led by Maj Gen Bahl at the State Control Room which was attended by key state officials. District collectors from across Sikkim and stakeholders participated virtually to ensure seamless coordination across all regions.

Throughout the day, Maj Gen Bahl and senior officials conducted on-site inspections of the drill in various locations, observing the practical implementation of response strategies.

After the drill concluded, a debriefing session was held at the State Control Room, LR&DM which was chaired by Maj Gen Bahl. District collectors from six districts presented individual reports on their district’s response. Observers assigned to each district offered feedback on the effectiveness of the operations and the leadership demonstrated by local officials. The session was also virtually participated by Prof. V.K. Sharma, vice chairman, SSDMA, wherein he presented his valuable observations.

Maj Gen Bahl provided critical insights and outlined key areas for improvement in various sectors during the briefing session. He emphasised the need for enhanced communication networks, stating that efficient and reliable communication is the backbone of any disaster response. He also highlighted the importance of optimising the functionality of EOCs and streamlining the IRS framework to ensure faster, more coordinated decision-making during crises.

Maj Gen Bahl stressed that while the state has made significant strides in disaster preparedness, there is still considerable scope for improvement. He urged all stakeholders to adopt a pragmatic approach when assessing their requirements, particularly in terms of resources and infrastructure.

He also reiterated that the NDMA remains committed to supporting the state in its preparedness efforts. He assured that the NDMA would extend full cooperation in providing specialised training programmes for key personnel involved in disaster management to further strengthen the state’s ability to respond to emergencies effectively.

He called for continuous assessment and upgrading of disaster management systems, underscoring the need for regular reviews and drills to maintain a high level of preparedness. He commended all those involved in disaster management and emergency response for their dedication and the successful execution of the mock drill.

Namrata Thapa expressed sincere gratitude to Maj Gen Bahl for his invaluable support in ensuring the successful conduct of the earthquake mock drill. She acknowledged the significant learning experience gained through the field visits and appreciated the high level of commitment demonstrated by officers from various line departments since the inception of the drill. Their dedication has been commendable, she noted.

She also urged all heads of departments and district collectors to finalise their disaster management plans without delay and submit them to the SSDMA for further review and implementation.

Prabhakar Rai, director, SSDMA, affirmed that the department will carefully review all suggestions provided by Maj Gen Bahl and take necessary steps to address any gaps or shortcomings identified during the drill. He assured that efforts would be made to strengthen areas that require improvement. He also extended his gratitude to all the authorities, nodal officers, and participants for their active involvement and collaboration in making the mock drill a valuable and successful exercise.

It is worth noting that, for the first time in the state, the earthquake mock drill exercise incorporated the use of Ham Radio for communication in the districts of Gangtok, Mangan, Soreng and Gyalshing. Ham radio is one of the oldest communication mediums in the world. In India, it has been officially operational since 1921. It works using radio frequencies and can be utilised in any condition, such as floods, cyclones, and high-altitude environments. While primarily used for research and development purposes, ham radio plays a crucial role during crises. When other communication systems, such as GSM networks, fail, ham radio continues to function.