Various districts in the state today held Table Top Exercises for the conduct of Nagaland Emergency Preparedness Exercise (NEPEx) 2022.
The sessions were organised by the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of Home Affairs.
The exercises were conducted in the districts of Kohima, Longleng, Kiphire and Chümoukedima in connection to the Multi State Level Mock Exercise on Earthquake disaster, simulating an earthquake measuring 8.7 Richter scale, to be held on 17 November in Kohima.
In Kohima, Additional Deputy Commissioner & Incident Commander District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Kohima, Rhosietho Nguori, chaired the meeting.
He said the main objective of the exercise is to create awareness among government agencies and stakeholders to develop a preparedness plan on how to manage and respond at times of disaster.
Briefing all about the 17 November mock exercise, Nguori said the main staging area would be set up at TM Government Higher Secondary School and five locations have been identified for the earthquake scenario – Grace Higher Secondary School Bayavü, Dr Neilhouzhü Kire Govt Hr Sec School Seikhazou, Mount Olive College Daklane, Mao Market and one residential area near the Heritage (Old DC Bungalow).
Furthermore, the ADC called upon all the district line departments to be well-versed in their roles and responsibilities and extend full cooperation and execute their assigned duties responsibly.
He also informed that there would be five observers and Kohima Village Youth Organization (KVYO) would be assisting during the mock exercise.
Nguori further appealed to the general public not to panic but to cooperate with the government agencies and the stakeholders during the mock exercise.
Kevilhouthie Victor Yhome, District Project Associate (DDMA) Kohima, highlighted the basic functional description of each key element in the district Incident Response System, which needs to be accomplished in a well-planned manner and executed in an effective and cost-efficient disaster response effort.
In Longleng, the Table Top Exercise was held at DC’s Conference Hall under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner & Chairman DDMA, Longleng, Dharam Raj, IAS.
The DC briefed on the aims and objectives of the mock exercise saying that the aim of the Mock Exercise was to review the disaster management plans and associated SOPs of the district, besides enhancing the coordination among emergency support at the district level.
He also highlighted the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders involved in managing disaster as per the IRS assigned to government agencies.
The DC urged the officials to actively participate during the mock exercise for awareness and to response with capabilities when actual disaster strikes. He also informed on the sequence of the mock exercise.
The DPA (DDMA) of Longleng, Vekuzo Lohe, spoke on the structure of the Incident Response System (IRS) comprising of Incident Commanders, Operation Section, Planning Section and Logistic Section and unit leaders involved. Accordingly, he briefed on the involvement of various government departments and their roles and responsibilities as per the IRS position of the district.
In Kiphire the exercise was held at DC’s conference hall with all the heads of offices and was chaired by DC Kiphire T Wati Aier. Stating that earthquakes may strike anytime, he stressed on the need to be well prepared and to also impart education to the public.
The Tabletop Exercise in Kiphire was chaired by DC Kiphire T Wati Aier and attended by all the heads of offices. (Credit: DPRO, Kiphire)
Later, the DC informed that the mock drill would be held on 17 November at three locations – Government Higher Secondary School, Daily Bazaar and District Agriculture Office Kiphire respectively.
In this regard, he requested all the heads of offices to attend the mock drill and perform their assigned duties diligently.
In Chümoukedima, the Table Top Exercise was chaired by Deputy Commissioner & Chairman DDMA, Abhinav Shivam, IAS.
He explained the roles and responsibilities of the mock drill, highlighting the objective of the exercise which is to make people ready to respond to an earthquake if and when it occurs.
DC & Chairman DDMA, Abhinav Shivam, IAS, briefing the house during the Tabletop Exercise in Chümoukedima. (Credit: IA Chümoukedima)
The DC appealed to the concerned department in charge to know their roles and responsibilities during the mock drill. He also appealed to the public at the surrounding staging areas not to panic but to cooperate, as it’s a disaster mock drill exercise.
The main staging area for the mock exercise would be set up at two locations, DC Office and CTC Office, respectively.
