NEPEx on extreme weather calamity conducted across Nagaland

NEPEx on extreme weather calamity conducted across Nagaland

NEPEx on extreme weather calamity conducted across Nagaland

Volunteers and personnel during the Nagaland Emergency Preparedness Exercise held at Mon (left) and Phek (Right) on November 21. (DIPR Photo)
 

Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 21


The third Nagaland Emergency Preparedness Exercise (NEPEx)-2019 (Mega Mock drill) on extreme weather phenomenon calamity was conducted on November 21 across Nagaland.


The scenario of the exercise was on cloudburst affecting schools, hospitals, shopping complex, residential locations and offices. Nagaland has been experiencing extreme weather phenomenon for the past few years, which has affected the normal lives and resources as well.


NEPEx is the state wide emergency exercise of Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Home department, Government of Nagaland. NEPEx aims to make Nagaland a safer and resilient society and to generate awareness among the communities and different agencies on how to establish mechanism for effective response to any disaster.

 

Kohima: After the conduct of the exercise in Kohima, observer Brig. Kuldip Singh, Senior Specialist (Ops), National Disaster Management Authority and Principal Secretary for School Education & SCERT Menukho John expressed satisfaction over the conduct the exercise.


Among others, communication, connectivity and traffic jam surfaced the exercise, which requires due attention.
The exercise showcased the possibilities of a multi impact of disaster effects. The exercise was based on cloudburst which triggered several landslides, flash floods and lighting, affecting major roads  and several colonies, overflow of Doyang dam under Wokha district and flooding in Dimapur district, destruction of power house affecting the entire district and black out.


Organized by Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) in collaboration with National Disaster Management Authority, the mock drill in Kohima was carried out at Kohima College, Fancy market Naga Hospital, KMC office, Oriental College etc.


Meanwhile, Menukhol John during the debriefing expressed happiness that the mock drill in the state capital along with the other districts was completed successfully.


John also highlighted on communication and other challenges faced during the mock drill exercise and further assured that the NSDMA is learning how to prepare for better relief solution.


Kuldip Singh, also sharing his experience lauded the use of technology like drone to assess the situation and also towards the overall execution of the exercise.


He said that he was happy to see the set up of Incident Response System and other offices and such set up will be emulated in other states during such exercises. He said the situation created for the exercise was the need of the hour considering the geographical structure and extreme climate as such disaster will create large number of casualties and landslide in a state like Nagaland.


He observed that the state is able to respond well during disaster because of the retention of organisational wisdom and skills through continuity of appointments that are mending the disaster management section. He further suggested create groups which will be dedicated for restoration of electricity and communications system.
Other observers also shared their experiences and highlighted the pros and cones of the mock drill.


Some suggestion included installation of audible siren/ alarm in strategic locations, good communication system, common alert protocol system, educational disaster management plan in educational institutions, to bring on board the mobile service providers of the state etc.

 

Phek: In Phek the exercise was conducted at local ground Phek. The DDMA Phek performed the mock drill at Bethel colony, Jerico-11 colony, Hebron-1 colony, Phek Government College and Treasury Office.

 

Wokha: Wokha conducted the exercise at seven locations-incident base including Mt Tiyi College Wokha (Building collapse), Dr Motsuo Memorial District Hospital (Patient treatment), Wokha Town Council Shopping complex (Fire), Police Point (Building collapse), LMS School (Evacuation drill), DBS (Evacuation drill) and Government Fishery/Tsumang lake (Drowning), emergency operation centre, staging area, incident command post, relief camp, operation section, planning section and logistic section were located at public ground Wokha to monitor the mock drill.


The rescue operation and mock exercise was done with the assistance by personnel from SDRF (Home Guards & Civil Defense), Community First Responders, Scout & Guides, TOTs and Village Disaster Management Authority (Wokha village and Longsa village).

 

Longleng: The mock drill exercise in Longleng was performed in two locations: DC office and Agri Ward Circular Road. The Deputy Commissioner who is the Responsible Officer, M Shayung Phom, Major SK Kaushik of 44th A/R and Incident Commander and ADC Longleng D Robin actively participated in the exercise. 

 

Kiphire: Kiphire carried out NEPEx at the District Headquarter Kiphire. The district level Incident Response system (IRS) was arranged systematically like incident Commanders, Operation section, planning section, and Logistic Section. Deputy Commissioner Kiphire, Sarita Yadav IAS, Superintendent of Police Kiphire, Amit Nigam IPS, Second in Command Assam Rifle RK Chhetri along with other officials participated in the exercise. 

 

Mon: Scenario of Emergency Preparedness Exercise was initiated by the District Administration and the entire line departments under Mon. The following locations were marked for the exercise- District Hospital, Lucy's shopping complex, FCI godown, BDO residence, residence of Chingkai, PWD (R&B) office, CMO office, DEO office, DRDA office, Nokton BDO residence, ADC Guest House, Office Club, Walo Guest House and Power House.


Incident Response System (IRS) during the Exercise were Thavaseelan K IAS DC Mon as Responsible Officer, Hiazu Meru ADC as Incident Commander, Superintendent Of Police as Safety Officer, SDO (C) Establishment as Liaison Officer, Superintendent NST as Nodal Officer (Air Operation), DPRO as information and Media Officer, Addl SP as Operation Section Chief, SDO (C) Development as Planning Section Chief and SDPO as Logistic Section Chief. All HOD s and staff of Line department took part in the Exercise. 

 

Tuensang: In Tuensang, DIG Range Rajashikaran was the Observer the drill which was conducted at three locations- Youth Resources Department office building as building collapse rescue situation, Bazaar fire incident situation and Water Resources office site as Landslide situation.


The volunteers deployed on the drill included 33 NCC cadets, three teachers in charge from GHSS Tuensang, Akum Imlong School and Loyem Memorial School, 16 nurses and medical attendants along with two doctors. 34 SDRF along with one officer and 33 DEF along with four officers were also engaged.  


The staging location was located at Loyem Memorial Ground where all the volunteers and participants were gathered for the demobilization and debriefing. DIG as the Observer gave feedbacks and Deputy Commissioner of Tuensang as Responsible Officer concluded the event with his remark.

 

Peren: Peren District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) conducted NEPEx at Jalukie Town. The NEPEx mock drill began with emergency meeting held at ADC Conference Hall, Jalukie which was chaired by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Peren, Sentiwapang Aier. Mock drill on rescue operation was carried out at different locations namely; Barial Valley School, Christian School, Baptist School, ADC Office, CDPO Office, Alum Residence, Suiba Residence, Keisen Residence, Teisile Residence, Nursing Home and Jalukie Civil Hospital. The main observer of the mock drill drive was Veterinary & Animal Husbandry College DEAN, Dr Capt GD Rao. Later, Staging Area Manager EAC Jalukie, C Wangan summed up and demobilized the mock drill drive. 

NEPEx on extreme weather calamity conducted across Nagaland

Dimapur: Dimapur district conducted the mega mock drill simulating extreme weather conditions. The exercise process started from DCs office and Commissioner Police office. Deputy Commissioner and also the RO and Chairman DDMA Dimapur, Anoop Kinchi IAS while debriefing, observed that preparedness makes one think how to react. 


ADC, V Lovitoly Sema also the Incident Commander (IC) observed that any kind of disaster may occur anytime and that basically disaster management was all about management of resources, preparedness, response and recovery. During debriefing, observers felt that most of the institutions were not disabled friendly with lack of basic infrastructures like ramps. 


Officials from logistics and security sections pointed the need for more handsets to be provided by NSDMA and training on usage of RT sets. Safety equipments to be issued to personnel working on the ground including publicity personnel were also raised.

 

Mokokchung: Mock Drill exercise was held at Mokokchung under Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung, Limawapang Jamir who is also the Responsible Officer of the District Level Incident Response System (IRS), Mokokchung. All the IRS Team and District Disaster Management Authority members including District Administration, Line Departments, Para Military, Police, Home Guards, NGOs and Students took part in the drill.