Mizoram to hold state-wide earthquake mock drill on Thursday

Aizawl: A state-wide mock exercise on earthquake disaster will be held across Mizoram on Thursday to enhance emergency preparedness and public safety mechanisms, a senior official said on Wednesday.

State Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Udit Prakash Rai said the exercise will be conducted at selected sites across all district headquarters, including Aizawl.

In Aizawl, the earthquake mock drill will be held at four sites, including Lok Bhavan, which will be used as a relief camp, while Lammual (formerly AR ground) will be used as a staging area, he said.

He said the exercise will be carried out in three shifts — two during the daytime and one at night.

Apart from officials of the concerned departments, security forces will also take part in the exercise, he said.

Besides, state disaster response forces from neighbouring Assam and Tripura will also participate in the mock drills in Kolasib and Mamit towns, he said.

According to the official, a siren will be blown from the deputy commissioners’ offices at 10 am.

He said the Centre has sent Brig Ravinder Gurung, a senior consultant (ME&IRS) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), along with four other national observers to monitor and oversee the exercise.

There will be two state observers and other observers in all districts where the exercises are held, he said.

Rai said the mock exercises will be monitored through visuals at the State Emergency Operation Centre in Aizawl and district emergency operation centres in all districts.

He urged the public not to panic during the exercise, stating that it is only a drill to test emergency response in the event of an earthquake-related disaster.

Apart from the earthquake exercise, a mock drill to respond to a massive bus accident will also be held, he added.