Earthquake Mock Drill on March 10

SHILLONG: Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), East Khasi Hills has informed that the National Disaster Management Authority, New Delhi in collaboration with CSIR-NEIST will conduct a mega mock exercise on earthquake of the magnitude of 8.7 on a Ritcher scale simulating the Shillong 1897 earthquake on March 10 from 11:30 am in Shillong.
The General people are requested not to panic since it is only an exercise to prepare for any disaster in future.
Selected disaster sites where mock exercise will be conducted are Nongrimmaw, Laitumkhrah, MUDA shopping complex, Police Bazar, petrol pump,  Polo, NEEPCO Office and Shillong Public School.
The Deputy Commissioner further informed that Nazareth Hospital, Civil Hospital and Military Hospital will be the designated hospitals for the treatment of injured victims, adding schools not being examination centre for Board Exams and other hospitals will conduct evacuation drill on their own within their campuses.
Orientation programme held
The West Garo Hills district administration on Wednesday held an Orientation Programme for the traders of Tura Super Market and adjoining areas on the Mega Mock Drill simulating an earthquake disaster that is going to be held on March 10 at the market premises.
The orientation programme was held to create awareness on the Mega Mock Drill and to dispel any fear and misunderstanding during the drill.
Speaking about the Mega Mock Drill West Garo Hills, Deputy Commissioner, Pravin Bakshi stated that through such exercises people would be able to prepare themselves for any kind of emergency.
He informed that the Tura Super Market was one of the two vulnerable structures in Tura and that the mock drill would assess the preparedness of the traders and the community during disaster like situations.