Shimla, Jun 12 (PTI) A tabletop exercise was conducted here on Friday to simulate realistic disaster situations relevant to Himachal Pradesh, according to officials.
The exercise presented detailed scenarios involving high-intensity earthquakes, cloudbursts, triggered flash floods, and forest fires for the participating departments to assess.
The exercise enabled officials to evaluate existing standard operating procedures (SOPs), identify operational gaps and test the effectiveness of communication and coordination mechanisms during emergencies.
Major General (Retd) Sudhir Behal, a senior consultant at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), led the tabletop exercise via video conference. Senior officers from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Army, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and various state government officials, including deputy commissioners and district-level officers, participated.
Chief Secretary K K Pant emphasised the importance of such preparedness exercises for enhancing institutional readiness, improving response capabilities, and ensuring coordination among stakeholders during emergencies. He noted that Himachal Pradesh is particularly vulnerable to multiple natural hazards due to its geographical and climatic conditions.
During the virtual exercise, Pant announced that a mock drill would be conducted on June 15, under the guidance of officials from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Army, and the ITBP, a statement issued here said.
Pushpender Rana, Special Secretary for Revenue and Disaster Management, stated that hypothetical scenarios related to earthquakes, cloudbursts, and forest fires would be created, with active participation from all districts and stakeholder departments across the state.
During the meeting, Lahaul-Spiti Deputy Commissioner Kiran Bhadana provided a detailed presentation on the preparations made and the disaster scenarios developed to address potential disasters in the district, including Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF), floods, flash floods, landslides, and forest fires.
The deputy commissioner stated that the district administration has made comprehensive preparations to ensure a rapid response to potential GLOF and flood situations, strengthen communication systems, effectively conduct relief and rescue operations, and establish better coordination among various departments.
Bhadana also shared specific details regarding a potential GLOF scenario involving Ghepan Lake, outlining its likely impact on the Sissu area and preparations for post-disaster relief and rescue operations. She explained that in the event of a lake breach, floodwaters could reach the Sissu area within approximately 20 minutes.
To effectively handle such situations, a special action plan has been formulated that includes timely warnings, safe evacuations, rapid deployment of relief and rescue teams, and the availability of essential resources in affected areas. PTI BPL MPL MPL
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