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The mega mock exercise on earthquake response and preparedness held in Dimapur on August 30. The exercise was held across all districts in the state. (Morung Photo)[/caption] Our Correspondent Kohima, August 30 The state-wide “mega mock exercise” as part of Nagaland Emergency Preparedness exercise (NEPEx) today registered huge success and figured as one of best exercise in the country, the Nagaland Government has claimed. The mock drill and preparedness exercise was centered in case an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.4 in the Richter scale occured. Nagaland lies under Seismic Zone V and is vulnerable to many natural calamities such as earthquake, landslide, flashflood, thunderstorm, hailstorm, forest fire etc. Conducted by Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) under home department in association with DDMAs and the concerned governmental departments, civil societies and the communities, the exercise which started by 11am lasted till 2pm. 
Additional chief secretary & home commissioner, Temjen Toy in a briefing expressed happiness over the success of the exercise. He said the whole process of the exercise will be documented, adding that similar exercise would be carried out in the coming days as well. Providing a general observation of Wednesday’s exercise, Toy said more sirens need to be installed in the capital city Kohima, more attention given to educational institutions, while communication/wireless system and manpower need to be strengthened. 
In the event of such a disaster, essential commodities should be in stock for which the food and civil supplies department need to take note of it. Another observation, Toy pointed out, was that the PWD need to be involved for construction of alternative road in case disaster struck. NSDMA commissioner & secretary, Khrienuo Metha said the two-hour long exercise added some awareness to all the line departments and the public to respond to calamities. Rupin Sharma, IPS said that the exercise was “well conducted” and also stressed on the need to do more of such exercise. AKC Singh, Commandant 12th Battalion, NDRF termed the exercise as “very good” and maintained today’s exercise in Nagaland was one of the best in the country. The exercise conducted on Wednesday was to generate awareness among the communities and the different agencies on how to establish mechanism for effective response to any disaster. During the mock disaster exercise that was enacted, the tragedy and damage reported shows heavy loss across the state. Most of the districts reported damages of properties like collapsed buildings, land erosions and people trapped under debris. Massive landslides and electrical break downs were the main issues hindering the rescue operations.
