Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 25
A state-wide mega mock exercise will take place on April 26 under the banner of the Nagaland Emergency Preparedness Exercise (NEPEx), and under the aegis of the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA).
NEPEx, which aims to generate awareness among communities and different agencies on how to establish mechanism for effective response to any disaster, will be held simultaneously in all the districts from 10:00am onwards.
“Nagaland being vulnerable to many natural calamities, it is imperative to establish a scientific approach in responding to and managing disaster. It is crucial for both government and the public to prepare themselves for any disaster,” NSDMA stated in a pamphlet received here.
Public urged not to panic
Stating that NEPEx is only a preparedness exercise and is not a warning of any impending disaster, the NSDMA urged the public not to panic but to cooperate with the authorities for smooth conduct of the mock exercise.
The public have also been requested not to spread rumours of impending earthquake/disaster which may cause fear psychosis.
Siren alarm at 10 AM
OSD to NSDMA, Johnny Ruangmei informed that a siren would be sounded at 10:00am in Kohima through church bells from different areas to announce the beginning of the mock drill.
The NSDMA has requested that the following churches in Kohima ring their church bells (for three minutes and a second bell after two minutes) at 10:00AM to announce the beginning of the mock drill – Cathedral, Chakhesang Baptist Church Kitsubozou, Christian Revival Church Kohima Village, Christ King Parish, Peraciezie Baptist Church, Ao Baptist Arogo Paramedical, St. Francis De Sales Parish (CPC) and NBCC.
The first siren is for everyone to practice ‘Drop, Hold and Cover.’ A second siren will be rung after two minutes, after which all stakeholders are to report to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) and staging area.
The NEPEx simulates the 1897 Shillong earthquake with a magnitude of 8.7 on the Richter Scale—an earthquake of such magnitude today would cause multiple damages to properties and casualties. For the purpose of this exercise, roads and traffic in few locations will be blocked for an hour in Kohima, Mokokchung and Dimapur.
