Nagaland will hold the 8th Nagaland Emergency Preparedness Exercise and Operation Night Guard on April 29 and the 30th.
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KOHIMA — The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) is scheduled to conduct the 8th Nagaland Emergency Preparedness Exercise (NEPEx) and Operation Night Guard in Nagaland on April 29 and the 30th.
This was announced during a press conference held at the NSDMA conference hall, Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima.
The briefing was addressed by Sentiwapang Aier, Secretary to the Government of Nagaland; Dr. Johnny Ruangmei, Joint Chief Executive Officer of NSDMA; and Medozhalie Pienyü, Deputy Commandant General (DCG) of Home Guards, Civil Defence & SDRF, Nagaland.
Sentiwapang Aier said that NEPEx 2026, the 8th edition of the state-level preparedness exercise, is being organised by the NSDMA under the Home Department, Nagaland, with support from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
He informed that the exercise will simulate scenarios involving earthquakes and extreme weather disasters in Nagaland. The objective is to test the state’s preparedness, strengthen coordination among departments and response agencies, and improve the effectiveness of the emergency response system.
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Aier stated that NEPEx 2026 is being implemented in phases. A capacity-building programme was held on April 22 via video conference with consultants from Delhi.
This will be followed by a table top exercise on April 29 at the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), Capital Convention Centre, Kohima, with participation from district-level emergency centres. The exercise will review plans and coordination mechanisms ahead of the full-scale mock exercise.
He informed that the state-level mock exercise will be conducted on April 30, involving activation of response teams and demonstration of coordinated emergency actions.
Alongside this, Operation Night Guard will also be conducted on April 30 from 6:30 pm onwards. This civil defence preparedness activity will involve siren activation and temporary blackout measures to test emergency alert systems and public response.
Aier asserted that the conduct of NEPEx and Operation Night Guard signifies the state government’s commitment to strengthening disaster preparedness and ensuring the safety and resilience of communities.
Dr. Johnny Ruangmei stated that the 8th edition of NEPEx will simulate earthquake and extreme weather events across the state.
He informed that this year’s exercise will model a realistic earthquake scenario, with the epicentre located at Piphema due to the presence of a seismic fault line in the area.
The simulation will consider an earthquake of magnitude 7.7, with a rupture extending approximately 100 kilometres along the Disang thrust system, affecting areas from Kohima towards Wokha and Zunheboto.
He added that several districts would be significantly impacted in such a scenario, including Dimapur (16 km), Kohima (27 km), Peren (30 km), Wokha (55 km), Phek (65 km), Zunheboto (71 km), Mokokchung (91 km), Kiphire (99 km), and Tuensang (109 km) from the epicentre.
Ruangmei said the exercise will also assess how departments, agencies, and communities respond using communication systems such as ham radio and police wireless networks. He informed that 17 ham radio stations have been installed across districts, with more than 29 licensed operators available in the state.
He further stated that the exercise will evaluate not only government response but also the role of churches, community networks, NGOs, and civil society organisations. Volunteers from NSS, NCC, and Bharat Scouts and Guides will also participate.
Meanwhile, Medozhalie Pienyü informed that Operation Night Guard will be conducted as per directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, dovetailing a civil defence air raid and blackout mock exercise on April 30.
He stated that the exercise will be carried out in 10 civil defence districts: Dimapur, Kohima, Mokokchung, Wokha, Zunheboto, Mon, Phek, Tuensang, Peren, and Kiphire.
The exercise will simulate a drone attack scenario leading to structural damage, fire outbreaks, casualties, and panic among civilians. Response measures will include fire services, search and rescue operations, evacuation, medical aid, and traffic management.
The exercise will commence at 6:30 pm with sirens sounding for about three minutes, followed by a 15-minute blackout from 6:30 pm to 6:45 pm, during which all non-essential lights will be switched off. An “all clear” siren will then signal the end of the blackout.
Information flow will be coordinated from the regional civil defence control centre in Jorhat to the SEOC and district emergency operations centres (DEOCs). Around 3,600 trained city wardens and volunteers will assist in disseminating information and reporting incidents.
Following the exercise, debriefing sessions will be conducted between 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm to evaluate response time, coordination, and system effectiveness, and to identify gaps.
Responding to queries, Aier hinted that helicopter services may be utilised during emergencies, although weather and terrain may pose challenges.