‘8.4 magnitude earthquake cripples Nagaland, heavy rains submerge Dimapur and Tuli ‘
Our Correspondent
Kohima, August 29 (EMN): In order to generate awareness among the communities and different agencies on how to establish mechanism for effective response to any disaster, a state-wide mock drill on disaster management will be carried out across the state tomorrow (Wednesday) from 11 AM onwards.
The announcement was made by the Additional Chief Secretary Temjen Toy and Commissioner & Secretary Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) Khrienuo Metha, during a review meeting held today with all the concerned departments at the state secretariat in Kohima.
The mock drill exercise, termed as Nagaland Emergency Preparedness Exercise (NEPEx), is being initiated by the NSDMA, in association with the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) of all the eleven districts and the concerned governmental departments, civil societies and communities. The exercise at the district level would be carried by the DDMAs in collaboration with the district administration and concerned departments and civil societies in the district level.
As Nagaland lies under Seismic Zone-V and is vulnerable to many natural calamities such as earthquakes, landslide, flash-flood, thunderstorm, hail storm, forest fire, etc, the State government through the mock drill exercise (NEPEx) has the target of making Nagaland a safer and a resilient society.
Stating that it is imperative to establish a scientific approach in responding and managing disaster, the NSDMA also felt that it is crucial for both the government and public to prepare for any disaster which will reduce risk and reduce extensive damage during emergency.
Speaking at the review meeting, ACS Temjen Toy, while stating that NEPEx is a ‘very important exercise’, he told the public to approach it with seriousness.
“The mock drill exercise won’t be a child’s play. Everything will be real except the absence of a real disaster,” Toy said adding that the exercise will be carried out accordingly as per the scenario of an earthquake measuring 8.4 magnitude/intensity with heavy rain storm.
The exercise, which is expected to prolong for almost three hours, may also disrupt the vehicular movement and create a moment of disorder in the town, however, the general public have been advised to be calm and observe the proceedings.
He further advised the public not to panic but to response accordingly with the thought that a disaster truly happened.
Commissioner & Secretary NSDMA, Khrienuo Metha informed that they have projected the epicentre of the earthquake to be between Kohima and Phek districts.
Giving a briefing on the mock drill exercise NEPEx, Metha informed that there will an alarm and siren at 11 am from PHQ and at the Secretariat junction by the Fire & Emergency Services.
Following the alarm, it has been informed that everyone in the offices will practice, drop, hold and cover. And after two minutes, there will be another alarm from the locations. Meanwhile, everyone in the offices and schools will move out to a safer place, following which the concerned departments will start responding to the disaster.
Stating the inability to inform the public about all the plans for tomorrow, yet, the public are asked to react accordingly imagining that an actual disaster took place.
A three-member team from the 12th National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Battalion, stationed at Doimukh, Arunachal, is also here in Kohima to be observers of the mock drill exercise on the earthquake.
Johnny Rongmei, OSD, NSDMA, Home department, also briefed to the members present on how the entire exercise would be carried out tomorrow.
Stating that the exercise has been initiated with the target to know the strength and weaknesses of the State on disaster response, the ACS also informed that there will be meeting right after the completion of the mock drill.
It was also informed that all the districts will send their report in the evening, following which the assessment on the disaster will be compiled thereafter.
Since the government and NSDMA’s plans are in such way that the disaster is happening unexpectedly, no concrete information have also been dispatched to the general public as every concerned department will also be responding accordingly as to what a natural disaster is.
NSDMA has come up with NEPEx with the objective to qualify the capability of the State in responding to an event of any disaster, and also towards development and strengthening of awareness, preparedness, response and recovery plan.
It was informed that NEPEx will be organised annually during different seasons of the year to acclimatize and build resilience to different extreme weather throughout the year.
NEPEx also has the target to showcase the possibilities of a multi impact of disaster effects and will involve all support functionaries to check for disaster preparedness and risk reduction.
Scenario exercise
1. Earthquake of 8.4 magnitude with heavy rain.1. Earthquake of 8.4 magnitude with heavy rain.
2. Road connecting to Tuensang from Mokokchung and road connecting to Tuensang from Longleng is also disconnected.
3. In Tuensang, Medical colony, Officers colony and NST colony severely affected and many houses damaged and fell, while around of 400 people goes missing.
4. Two schools each in Dimapur, Zunheboto, Kiphire and Kohima totally damaged and many students trapped inside the debris.
5. Naga Hospital, Kohima, severely damaged.
6. 120 houses collapsed under Nagabazar and Midland in Kohima.
7. Dimapur-Kohima road cut off and Peducha (Lalmati) road sunk.
8. Due to heavy rain flash-flood occurred, meanwhile Dimapur, Tuli and Tizit area totally submerged under water.
