The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), in collaboration with the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Kohima, organized a mock drill exercise on earthquake at Kohima Science College, Jotsoma. The event took place on July 18, 2023.

During the exercise, Khrolou Koza Lohe, Assistant Manager of Training & Education at NSDMA, briefed the students of KSC about the significance of disaster preparedness, citing the Bhuj Earthquake in 2001 as an example of the damages caused.

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Lohe emphasized the importance of establishing a Disaster Management structure within schools and colleges, with the Principal as the Chairperson. She stressed the need for constituting a disaster management (DM) team, developing a disaster response plan that includes hazard identification, safety assessment, resource mapping (internal & external), formation of various DM teams, and an evacuation plan with designated Assembly Areas.

In her address, Lohe highlighted the roles of different teams within the Disaster Management structure, including the Disaster Awareness Team for Warning & Information Dissemination, Evacuation Teams for Each Class, Search & Rescue Team, First Aid Team, Fire Safety Team, and Bus Safety Team.

Lohe emphasized the significance of the mock drill exercise, stating that it serves as a valuable tool to test preparedness and improve the correct methods of conducting such drills. Sensitizing the masses to disaster management measures can significantly reduce the impact of disasters, even though complete prevention may not be possible.

The event marked an important step towards building resilience within educational institutions and the community at large.

The same mock drill exercise will be conducted at Living Tree School, Tsiepugei, Kohima on July 20, 2023.