The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) will conduct a comprehensive statewide emergency preparedness exercise, the Nagaland Emergency Preparedness Exercise (NEPEx) 2026, along with a Civil Defence Air Raid and Blackout Mock Exercise codenamed Operation Night Guard, as part of efforts to strengthen disaster response systems across the State.
The announcement was made during a press briefing held at the NSDMA Conference Hall, Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima, on Friday. The briefing was addressed by Dr Johnny Ruangmei, Joint Chief Executive Officer, NSDMA (Home Department), Sentiwapang Aier, Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, and Medozhalie Pienyü, Deputy Commandant General of Home Guards, Civil Defence and SDRF.
Organized in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority, NEPEx 2026 is part of a nationwide initiative aimed at enhancing disaster preparedness, strengthening inter-agency coordination, and improving emergency response mechanisms.
Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Sentiwapang Aier informed that the exercise would see coordinated participation from State departments, district administrations, emergency response agencies, uniformed forces, and community stakeholders. The objective is to assess and validate the preparedness and response capabilities in the event of a major disaster scenario, he added.
Explaining the schedule of the exercise, Aier informed that the exercise would be conducted in three phases.
On April 29, Table Top Exercise (TTEx), scheduled from 10 a.m. onwards at the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEO), Capital Convention Centre, Kohima, the TTEx would simulate emergency scenarios to review disaster management plans, coordination frameworks, and response procedures among stakeholders.
On April 30, Mock drills would be carried out across all districts and selected simulations sites in Nagaland from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. The exercise would involve mobilization of response teams and demonstration of coordinated emergency actions such as search and rescue operations, evacuation, medical response, and restoration of essential services.
On the same day, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Civil Defence Air Raid and Blackout Exercise would be conducted in designated Civil Defence towns across 10 districts. The drill would include activation of sirens and implementation of blackout measures to test alert systems, public responsiveness, and coordination among agencies.
Advising the public the authorities urged citizens not to panic, as these exercises are purely precautionary and aimed at improving public safety and preparedness. During the drills, the public have been advised to remain calm and cooperate with officials, switch off all non-essential lights including inverters and external lighting when sirens are sounded, follow instructions issued by authorities, and avoid unnecessary movement.
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The Officials reiterated that the exercises are simulations and there is no cause for alarm. They emphasized that public cooperation would be crucial for the successful conduct of NEPEx 2026 and Operation Night Guard, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and prepared Nagaland.
Providing details of the simulation, Joint Chief Executive Officer of NSDMA (Home Department), Johnny Raungmei said the exercise would be based on a hypothetical earthquake scenario of magnitude 7.7, with the epicentre near Piphema. He noted that districts including Dimapur, Kohima, Mokokchung, Wokha, Zunheboto, Mon, Phek, Tuensang, Peren, and Kiphire are expected to be the most affected in the simulation, while neighbouring districts will have varied response scenarios. Different line departments will be assigned specific operational roles.
Raungmei also highlighted that community participation would be an important component of the exercise, with organizations such as churches and civil groups expected to play visible roles alongside government agencies. He added that communication gaps identified in previous exercises have been addressed with the integration of additional systems, while casualty assessment will be a key focus area. Experts and officials from outside the state are also expected to take part.
Later on April 30, a Civil Defence Air Raid/Blackout Mock Exercise, codenamed “Operation Night Guard,” will be conducted from 6:30 p.m. onwards in designated Civil Defence towns across 10 districts—Dimapur, Kohima, Mokokchung, Wokha, Zunheboto, Mon, Phek, Tuensang, Peren, and Kiphire.
Deputy Commandant General (DCG), Medozhalie Pienyu informed that the exercise, conducted as per directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, would simulate scenarios including drone attacks leading to structural damage, fires, casualties, and public panic. Response measures would include firefighting, search and rescue, evacuation, establishment of temporary medical facilities, and crowd and traffic management.
He said the key objectives are to test air raid warning systems, blackout protocols, and communication networks; evaluate inter-departmental coordination and public compliance; assess the readiness and response time of emergency services; validate the Incident Response System (IRS)-based command structure; and identify gaps through post-exercise evaluation.
