Statewide mock drill held to review cyclone preparedness

PANAJI
The State Disaster Management Authority on Friday conducted a mock exercise on cyclones and induced disasters in a bid to review the District Disaster Management Plan across Goa.

Held in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority, various line departments checked the preparedness of the crisis group in meeting the eventuality of Cyclone and to put in place SoPs in handling such situations apart from creating awareness among the people of the locality.

The exercise was conducted in Aivao Beach, Caranzalem, Panaji; Panaji Ferry Wharf, Panaji; Mahadev Temple Salem, Salem; Bagwada Pilgao; Mapusa Industrial Estate, Dattawadi; Electricity Sub Station, KTCL Depot, Porvorim; Fishing Jetty, Malim, Near Police Govt Quarters; Nerul, Coco Beach; Morjim Beach, Near Morjim Beach, Manohar International Airport, Near CHC Casarwanem; Naquerim Betul Panchayat, Chowgule Shipyard site at Loutulim, Salcete, Murdi Bagh, Khandepar Ponda, Baina beach area, IOCL and HP Terminal, Goa Shipyard and Mormugao Port Authority.

As per details shared by the Department of Information & Publicity, the actual mock drill exercise started after the Indian Meteorological Department, Goa issued a special bulletin at 8.30 am regarding a ‘Very Severe Cyclonic Storm’ over the east-central Arabian Sea. It was said this cyclonic storm is very likely to intensify further during the next six hours, and move northeastwards to reach the Goa coast in the morning hours of April 25, crossing the Goa coast between Arambol and Betul the same day.

“There were various scenarios exercised - Evacuation of the vulnerable population followed by Search and Rescue & Relief Operations. A specialized rescue operation was carried out by the NDRF. This exercise set the stage for safety and security management for the entire State and also augured well for preparedness and capacity building for the monsoon season,” it said.

The other objectives were to evaluate the SoP which is also available on the SDMA website, assess the response mechanism in the district through an incident response system, enhance coordination among the emergency support functioning agencies, and awareness creation among the officials, public and central forces such as the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and National Disaster Response Force.