Dimapur[/caption]
Dimapur, April 26 (EMN): The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) conducted the Nagaland Emergency Preparedness Exercise (Nepex) across the state on April 26. Updates from the department of Information and Public Relations informed about the activity on Thursday.
Dimapur: Dimapur district’s authorities conducted the drill simulating 8.4 a magnitude earthquake. Updates informed that this year’s drill was improvised with the exercise being run on the spot projecting a live situation. No prior traffic arrangements were made. The rescue teams were assigned on the spot from the staging areas from where resources were kept ready.
Earlier, the district’s Deputy Commissioner Sushil Kumar Patel called for a meeting at 10:00 am at the DC’s emergency operation center. Patel briefed officers and stakeholders about carrying out their tasks in the staging area. Dimapur’s Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Sara Jamir was the commander.
Commenting on the exercise, the ADC observed that the drill was ‘better than expected.’ She admitted that the level of preparedness was not up to the mark if it were to be compared to a live situation. Jamir said that the wireless system in certain areas needs an upgrade and advised the departments to update available resources and machineries. She said that such updates would help in planning and coordination and promptly work in the event of an actual emergency.
The observers for Dimapur district commented that the drill was a ‘huge success’ and lauded all the units for carrying out their tasks professionally. Also, they observed that the performance of the medical department was outstanding.
Wokha: Wokha began the drill at four locations with the siren sounding at 10:00 am to signal the ‘emergency’ which was followed by community first responders reporting to the emergency operation centre. Personnel from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and Fire and Emergency Services department reached pre-identified locations to carry out rescue and operation activities. The team was assisted by the police, the Assam Rifles, medical personnel and community first responders, and trainers of trainees.
The drill was based on these simulated context: In one of the locations, Police point, a building collapsed inflicting 10 casualties out of which one had died, while four were seriously injured; four sustained minor injuries, and one waking wounded.
At Little Angle School three school students with minor injuries were evacuated. Mt. Tiyi College and WTC shopping complex had 10 casualties. The ‘patients’ were then shifted by ambulance to the local ground where a camp had been set up to treat casualties.
An emergency operation centre was set up in the DC’s conference hall. The staging area was at Wokha’s local ground. An incident command, an operation section, a planning section, and a logistic section were also set up as part of the drill.
Wokha’s Deputy Commissioner Dr. Manazir Jeelani Samoon thanked officers, personnel, and individuals for carrying out their responsibilities with sincerity and making the drill a grand success. The administrator was convinced that the district can handle situations in times of emergencies. He added though that there were some grey areas that need to be taken care of in the coming days.
A DIPR update on Thursday stated that despite shortage of manpower and machinery, Longleng district conducted the drill simulating a situation of earthquake and fire outbreak. It was conducted at St. Joseph School, and Phom Lampong School for the earthquake simulation, while the Treasury office was the site that simulated a situation due to fire.
After the alarm was sounded, the line departments along with required machineries and equipments, rushed to the local ground to take stock of the ‘emergency’ situation. They set up their respective emergency camp to provide relief, shelter, and first aid to the fire and earthquake ‘victims,’ the DIPR informed.
The simulation: The commander of the event and Longleng’s Additional Deputy Commisoner Temsuwati informed the rescue teams about the three locations ‘badly affected by the disaster.’
The drill was based on two simulated contexts: Based on the inputs provided by deputy commissioner, the Fire and Emergency Service personnel rushed to the Treasury office to douse the fire and rescuing the fire ‘victims.’
In another context, the police and the 12th NAP (IR) rushed to the Phom Lampong School and St. Joseph School and rescued the students. The rescue teams rushed back to the staging area, which was set up at the local ground, to provide necessary facilities to the victims.
Earlier, the district’s Deputy Commissioner John Tsulise Sangtam informed the incident commander about an area in the town badly by an earthquake that occurred in the morning. After the rescue operations was carried out ‘successfully,’ people visited the relief and rehabilitation camps, interacted with patients and the rescue teams.
Later, deputy commissioner spoke to the media and gathering, giving them details about the situation, the casualties, and damage to properties. He added that the transportation and communication system was ‘badly affected by the disaster’ in the district.
The Peren DDMA also successfully conducted statewide drill at Peren town. The programme was conducted supervised by Peren’s ADC Chuba Wati Chang.
Chang said that Nagaland being vulnerable to many natural calamities, it was imperative for the state to have ‘a scientific approach in responding and managing disaster.’ Both the government and the public need to prepare for any emergency, which he said is usually without any warning.
Updates informed that the drill simulated a situation arising out of a 8.7 magnitude earthquake. The drill began at 10:0 am after the siren was sounded. The incident response system, operation section, planning section, and logistic system swung into action after a briefing at the ADC’s office. The emergency operation centre was set up at the local ground in Peren.
The drill was based on this simulated situation: A road blockage from Jalukie to Peren, Peren to Tening, and from Jalukie to Athibung. The casualty reported was 62 severely injured persons, 39 persons who sustained minor injuries, and 50 reported dead. The relief section distributed bags of rice and bottles of mineral water as part of the simulation.
In Tuensang, the drill was undertaken also simulating a 8.7 magnitude earthquake.
The drill was based on this simulated context: mass causality at the bazaar area, fire and a collapsed building at the Agri Office; rescue at a high-rise building, at the Youth Resource office; search and rescue in residential areas, and a school evacuation drill. After the compilation of the drill, a debriefing session was held at a staging area.
The district authorities of Zunheboto also conducted the drill. The exercise was done led by the district’s Additional Deputy Commisioner Vekhoyi Chakhesang. Most of the departments took part in the drill.
The district commandant of the Home Guards and Civil Defence Khenito Chishi was the operation section’s chief, it was informed. The drill was undertaken simulating a 8.7 magnitude earthquake and its aftermath at five locations in Zunheboto town.
An emergency operation centre, consisting of logistic section, planning section, operation section, and incident command post was set up at Phek Local Ground for the exercise.
Mock drill demonstration was then conducted at different locations in Phek town. An emergency response team was sent to carry out procedural search and rescue evacuation of casualties to the nearest medical centre.
: To test the capability of Mokokchung district’s administration in responding to emergencies, the Nagaland Emergency Preparedness Exercises (Nepex), the drill was undertaken in Mokokchung simulating a 8.4 magnitude earthquake, on April 26.
The additional deputy commissioner of Mokokchung W Manpai Phom, who was the responsible officer for the drill, informed that the drill was ‘successful.’ The event simulated rescue operation tactics at different locations. He said that the exercise was joined by personnel from the district’s disaster management establishment and line departments such as the Home Guard and Civil Defence, Mokokchung police, medical establishment, fire department, power, public works department; and the wards’ union of the town, and GB, among others, joined the drill.
The rescue simulations were undertaken at four locations namely Edith Douglas Higher Secondary School, Longkumer Kilem, Alempang Ward, and the Post Office area.
Scenario of Emergency Preparedness Exercise was initiated by the District Administration and the entire line departments under Mon. Earthquake with 8.7 magnitudes on Richter scale struck in Mon. the exercise was conducted at various places.
Staging area was set up at the Mon Local Ground, relief camp at Badminton Stadium, Helibase at Helipad and at DBs court. Incident Command Post, Operation Section, Planning Section and logistic Section were set up.
The mega mock exercise is to test the capability of the district to responds, manage and timely responds during the time of disaster and to minimize loss of lives and properties, the press release informed.
The NSDMA in collaboration with DDMA (Kiphire) and departments in concern conducted the Nepex at helipad ground in Kiphire.
The drill began with an emergency siren at 10:00 am, where people responded by way of drop, cover and hold for two minutes and the exercise lasted for two hours. Volunteers from various schools and departments and others participated in the exercise. Over a thousand of public witnessed the mock exercise, the press release stated.
