Dummy drill tests Nagaland’s ability to cope with catastrophe

Expert raises concerns about the state’s medical capacity

State govt. looks to private event management agencies to augment resources

KOHIMA — A state-wide mega mock drill simulating a catastrophic 6.9 magnitude earthquake was engineered across Nagaland on Thursday, revealing both strengths and weaknesses in the state’s disaster response capabilities. The exercise, organised by the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), aimed to test the preparedness of various agencies and departments in handling a major seismic event.

The drill commenced at 9 am with a siren blaring from the Police Headquarters, followed by similar sirens from emergency vehicles. The simulated earthquake scenario, set at 9:45 am, placed the epicentre near Changtongya town in Mokokchung district, with a shallow focal depth of 13.8 km. The exercise involved staged incidents at various locations including hospitals, schools, a bridge, and government offices, in Kohima and other district headquarters.

During a debriefing session at the Capital Convention Centre, NSDMA Advisor Z Nyusietho Nyuthe emphasised the importance of assessing the state’s capabilities and preparedness for such eventualities. He highlighted the need for resilient infrastructure and a robust economy to withstand and recover from disasters.

Major General Sudhir Bahl (Retd.), Lead Consultant (ME & IRS) at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), commended the professional conduct of the mock drill and the enthusiastic participation of all involved. He noted that the exercise successfully achieved its primary objectives but suggested improvements in inter-agency coordination for disaster management plans, particularly within municipal areas.

He also stressed the need for better awareness among agencies and departments regarding their respective capabilities and resources.

The major general, who earlier visited relief camps, raised concerns about the state’s medical capacity in case of a major disaster. The Health department needs to develop a careful plan for resource allocation before handing over any supplies, he said, adding that the medical capability in the epicentre, that is Mokokchung area, is completely inadequate to deal with this kind of casualties.

Johnny Raungmei, Joint CEO of NSDMA, observed a gradual improvement in coordination among stakeholders over the years. However, having visited incident sites, he highlighted challenges related to road transportation and telecommunication systems, particularly in establishing communication with the epicentre due to inclement weather. He assured that these areas would be addressed in future exercises.

Stating that the mock drill exercises help them understand the estimated resources of the state, both private and government, he said that they are looking to engage private event management agencies to augment resources in future drills.

The mock drill also exposed vulnerabilities arising from Nagaland’s geographical location and urban planning. Even a 5.3 magnitude earthquake could have a significant impact, with Kohima being particularly susceptible to chaos due to narrow roads and haphazard parking, hindering rescue efforts, he said. The exercise also highlighted the challenges of debris removal following building collapses, which could take months.

As a way forward, Raungmei said there will be a review meeting to discuss these challenges and document them for future lessons.

The debriefing session was also attended by Captain Abhijit Wyas from the Eastern Air Command, Shillong, and A Boboi, Commandant of the 12th NDRF battalion.