GUWAHATI, Dec 21 - A two-day state-level mock drill on earthquake disaster management organised by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority in all the 33 district headquarters concluded yesterday.
Our Correspondents add:
IN UDALGURI: Along with other parts of the state, a mock exercise on earthquake preparedness was conducted in various parts of the town yesterday by the Udalguri district administration.
The chosen venues where the mock drill was conducted were Udalguri Hospital, Aspire Junior College, Deputy Commissioner�s Office, Indian Shopping Mart and Officers� Colony. As for the Relief Camp on the occasion, Bagoriguri LP School was chosen. After the siren started wailing, all the officers assembled at the District Emergency Operation Centre (DOEC).
After the earthquake was simulated, the Incident Response Team collected information about the devastated areas and the incharge officers proceeded to the staging area which was created in the parade ground from where the NDRF, Indian Army, Fire & Emergency Service, Civil Defence and Home Guards were instructed to take their positions.
The rescue teams then proceeded to the specific areas where �devastation� took place. The volunteer patients were also transported by ambulances to the district hospital. The doctors and nurses also proceeded to their pre-fixed destinations during the mock drill.
It may be mentioned here that officers of different departments were entrusted with multiple functions during the mock operation. After completion of the entire drill, the District Magistrate noted down the shortcomings and problems faced during such a natural calamity and presented it during the video conference titled, �Hot Wash�.
IN Biswanath Chariali: Along with the rest of the state, the District Disaster Management Authority in collaboration with ASDMA and NDMA conducted a surprise mega mock drill on earthquake yesterday at four different venues simultaneously in and around Biswanath Chariali town.
The four pre-designated places included City Hub, Municipal Office Complex, Nityananda Complex, Kochgaon and Biswanath Chariali Civil Hospital.
From 10 am, personnel of NDRF�s 12th Battalion, SDRF, Assam Rifles, CRPF, SSB, F&ES took part in the demonstrative rescue operation. The various rescue teams consisting of more than 70 members from the forces successfully evacuated 40 mock victims hailing from NCC, NSS and Biswanath College Union Body. All injured person were shifted to the designated hospital, i.e. Biswanath Chariali Civil Hospital where specialised doctors� teams provided medical care to the mock patients.
A special observer from NDRF�s 12th Battalion monitored the entire exercise and shared his views on the scenarios created.
IN Tezpur: The mock drill on earthquake disaster was held yesterday and conducted jointly by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in coordination with Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).
A post earthquake-like scenario was simulated at 10 am and on receipt of the information, the Responsible Office (DC) activated the Incident Response System (IRS) and all members of the district Incident Response Team (IRT) assembled at the District Emergency Operations System (DEOC).
Of the four venues selected for the exercise, a scenario of building collapse was recreated at the LGBRI of Mental Health, while a fire at the District Treasury Office, a stampede at the District Library due to a large congregation of people and a scenario of chaos and injury at NC Hotel was recreated for the purpose of the mock exercise.
All rescue and relief teams were mobilised from the �staging area� at the Church Field and deployed for rescue and relief operations. Ambulances and fire-tenders were mobilised as per requirement. Response teams from police, civil defence, SDRF/ fire services, Army and SSB were engaged for rescue and evacuation operations.
Traffic was regulated and police personnel deployed for law and order. A �hot wash� or review was also conducted via video conference later in the day.
A table top exercise in this connection was held via video conference with all the concerned deputy commissioners on December 19 where all notified members of the Incident Response Team (IRT) of each district took part.
IN Haflong: The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) in association with the National Disaster Management Authority and Assam State Disaster Management Authority conducted a mega mock drill in Haflong along with the cooperation of police, defence personnel, fire fighters and all other line departments and volunteers yesterday.
Prior to the mock exercise, a table top exercise was also conducted on December 19 with an objective to review the disaster management plan along with identifying gaps and to enhance coordination among the stakeholders and responding agencies following the principle of Incident Response System (IRS) at state and district level.
The mock drill was simultaneously performed at five different locations like Deputy Commissioner�s office, Waimijing Club building, Girls� Higher Secondary School, Don Bosco Higher Secondary School and Haflong Civil Hospital/Holy Spirit Hospital.
As a part of the mock exercise, different situations were simulated such as setting up of staging area, incident base, District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC), incident command post, rescue operation team, medical, logistic, media and information etc.
As many as 150 participants, including officials from various departments, Army, CRPF and police personnel, school students, teachers, NGOs and clubs performed the mock drill with full enthusiasm and coordination.
It may be noted that such mega mock drill to check earthquake preparedness was conducted in Dima Hasao and the entire state for the first time.
ANN Service adds:
IN SONARI: Mock drill was organised yesterday under the auspices of the Charaideo district administration at the Deputy Commissioner�s office, Sonari Municipal Board, Saint Joseph�s School, Urban Health Centre and public field.
Personnel from the Army, CRPF, Assam Police, NDRF, ONGC, PHE, Fire Department, Health, ASEB etc., participated in the drill where the local public evinced positive response.
How to save life and property during fire, earthquake and other emergency situations were exhibited through mock drill for the first time in the district. On conclusion of the drill, an awareness meet was held at the public playground. Vivekananda Phukon, Deputy Commissioner of Charaideo district, additional deputy commissioners Jitu Kumar Das, Pranab Bora and Dipak Kumar Bhuiya, besides Jayanta Mout, SDPRO incharge of Charaideo were also present on the occasion.