1897 quake simulated

Mock drill simulating the 1897 Shillong earthquake conducted on Saturday. Pix WT Lytan
Mock drill simulating the 1897 Shillong earthquake conducted on Saturday. Pix WT Lytan

SHILLONG,OCT 19: A mock exercise simulated the 1897 earthquake of magnitude 8.7 Richter Scale which occurred in Shillong, was carried out at Police Bazar a- Khyndailad-and Jail Road area on Saturday by the State and District Disaster Management Authorities which was participated by the Incident Response Teams (IRT).

To test the effectiveness and preparedness of the incident Response System (IRS) and to tackle the after effects of an earthquake, a mock exercise was conducted at MUDA, Shopping Complex, MTC building, Civil Hospital, Petrol Pump and residential area of  Jail Road. The exercise was participated by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Guwahati, Armed Forces, Paramilitary Forces, Task Forces from Meghalaya police, Fire and Emergency Service, Civil Defence and Home Guards, all line departments and community volunteers.

During the exercise, Emergency Operation Center (EOC) was fully activated both at the district and state level.  It may be mentioned that the Incident Response System (IRS) for tackling any disaster will consist of the Incident Commander and the teams from the Operations, Planning and Logistic Sections under the control and command of the Responsible Officer (RO) who is the Deputy Commissioner of the district.

Security personnel standing guard during the mock drill on Saturday. Pix by WT Lytan
Security personnel standing guard during the mock drill on Saturday. Pix by WT Lytan

The exercise was carried out under the supervision of Maj.Gen. (Retd) VK Datta, Senior Consultant National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Meghalaya government represented by KS Kropha, principal secretary and L. Kharkongor, commissioner & secretary in the presence of observers drawn from the armed forces and NEIGRIHMS.

An assessment was made after the exercise where certain issues, drawbacks and areas which need improvement were identified for better coordination in the Mega Mock Drill schedule to be held in February, 2014. – By Our Reporter

 

 

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