TURA: As part of the Statewide Mega Mock Exercise on earthquake preparedness, mock drills were conducted at different places in all five districts of Garo Hills.
In Tura, the mock drills were conducted at DC Office Complex, Tura Civil Hospital, Tura Super market, Mondoltilla locality and the Pechon Memorial School.
The aims and objectives of the Mock Exercise is to test the adequacy and efficacy of the Emergency Response Plans of the district against Earthquake disaster, to highlight the roles and responsibilities of the concerned stakeholders at the district level and to implement IFS in management of disaster for better command control and coordinator and synergies effort of Emergency Support Functions of the district, to find gaps in the resources including many power equipment communication material and systems.
During the video conference Deputy Commissioner in charge of West Garo Hills, A M Sangma stated that the exercise was good and well participated by respective officials of various departments but requires public awareness. Further he said that training must be given to the official for using VHF set.
Baghmara in South Garo Hills also conducted the mock drill where various departments, Civil Defence, Scouts and Guides, BSF and volunteers from schools participated.
Deputy Commissioner cum chairman, District Disaster Management Authority,H B Marak in his debriefing after the Mock Exercise expressed his happiness and congratulated everyone involved towards successfully organizing the Mock Exercise. He also informed that this exercise is being conducted in order to highlights roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders and enhance coordination among others during such emergencies.
In East Garo Hills, the multi-state mock exercise on earthquake was conducted at Rongrenggre Government Higher Secondary School playground in Williamnagar.
The exercise was participated by the office of the Deputy Commissioner, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), line departments, National Cadet Corps (NCC), Bharat Scouts and Guides, NGOs, Nokmas and volunteers from different localities.
The mock exercise was led the Deputy Commissioner, L Ch Marak, Superintendent of Police, RTG Momin and ADC, A Ch Marak.
Ampati in South West Garo Hills also conducted the mock exercise simulating a disastrous 8.7 magnitude earthquake with the epicentre at Garobadha.
Briefing concerned departments regarding the exercise the South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner in charge, S K Marak informed that during the mock exercise the district administration and all line departments will be engaged in resource mobilisation, search and rescue, rehabilitation and other efforts to simulate real life emergency response which will be witnessed by designated observers. Additional Deputy Commissioner & CEO Disaster Management, Z J Sangma, Superintendent of Police & Safety Officer Bobby S W Momin and District Disaster Management Officer Debojit Koch were among those who briefed the concerned officers.
Three incidents sites or probable places where the effects of the disaster would be most felt were identified and the mock search and rescue operations executed. The operation lasted for two hours within which all objectives of the operation were accomplished.
Later a debriefing was held at the DRDA Conference hall wherein the performance of all concerned departments and stake holders was determined. The debriefing was followed by a video conference between the concerned officers and the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya at DC’s office.
In North Garo Hills, the exercise was conducted at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Resubelpara.
The programme organized by DDMA was actively participated by all stakeholders of the district. During the mock exercise, all stakeholders were reassessed of their roles and responsibilities in times of disaster.