Disaster readiness exercise conducted across Nagaland

October 25, 2024 6 Views No Comment

Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 25

The 7th Nagaland Emergency Preparedness Exercise (NEPEx) was held across the state of Nagaland on October 24.

Major Gen Sudhir Bahl (Retd), Lead Consultant (ME & IRS, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI expressed satisfaction over the conduct of NEPEx 2024. This year’s exercise simulated an earthquake scenario to evaluate the state’s readiness to respond to disaster situations effectively.

The exercise simulated a large-scale earthquake scenario with a magnitude of M 6.9 occurred at 9:45:05 near Changtongya town in Mokokchung district, Nagaland, whose epicentre is 26 degree 19’20. 29” N and 94 degree 30’55.95” E at a shallow focal depth of 13.8 km.

Addressing a press conference after debriefing at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima, Bahl maintained that the exercise was conducted professionally and complimented the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) and other agencies for the success of the exercise.

Bahl remarked that in disaster management there is always scope for improvement and suggestions on improving certain areas have been given to the state NSDMA and other departments.

Bahl also said that the NDRF has equipment and resources available which can be used in such disaster situations.

Also complimenting the Armed Forces in disaster response, he said “The coordination between the Armed Forces and the state government is very important.”

NSDMA & NRE Advisor Z Nyusietho Nyuthe said the mega mock drill exercise was conducted across the state to analyse the preparedness of the state, in case of any eventualities during disasters.

Nyuthe said that the mock drill was completed successfully across the district headquarters and lauded the NDRF and the DDMA teams for their quick response in handling the situation during the exercise.

Johnny Ruangmei, Joint Chief Executive Officer, NSDMA maintained NEPEx saw huge improvement as compared to earlier exercises in terms of better coordination amongst all the stakeholders.

Ruangmei said the NSDMA will be having a review meeting soon and the documentation and action taken report will be submitted to NDMA.

NEPEx aims to enhance disaster preparedness and response capabilities across the state and ensure that all the stakeholders are ready to effectively manage and respond to any potential disasters.

NEPEx 2024 was part of NSDMA’s ongoing efforts to make Nagaland a safer, more resilient state in the event of natural calamities.

NEPEx was supported by NDMA, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India.