Mock drills in districts to stay quake-ready

SHILLONG/TURA/MAWKYRWAT/NONGPOH/JOWAI: As part of the multi-state mock exercise on earthquake disaster, disaster management authorities in all the districts carried out mock drills on Wednesday.
In Shillong, the drill was done by simulating earthquake of 8.7 magnitude on the Richter scale in Polo.
The exercises of evacuation, search and rescue and first aid treatment and triage before being shifted by ambulances to different hospitals in the city saw an active participation from all the line departments, police, fire and emergency services, SDRF, NDRF, BSF, Assam Rifles, Army 101 Area Unit, Dorbar Shnong Lawmali Pyllun, students, volunteers from Indian Red Cross Society and NSS.
In Tura, the mock drills were conducted at DC Office Complex, Tura Civil Hospital, Tura Super market, Mondoltilla locality and the Pechon Memorial School. In Baghmara, Civil Defence, Scouts and Guides, BSF and volunteers from schools participated.
In East Garo Hills, it was conducted at Rongrenggre Government Higher Secondary School playground in Williamnagar. In Ampati, the drill was done by simulating 8.7 magnitude earthquake with the epicentre at Garobadha was conducted.
In North Garo Hills, the exercise was conducted at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Resubelpara.
In Jowai, students of Government Boys and Government Girls Higher Secondary Schools and officers from various departments participated in the mock drill.
In South West Khasi Hills, the mock exercise was performed at Nativity Higher Secondary School, Sngap Syiem College and Mawkyrwat Market. Different activities were carried out during the drill. Staging area, medical aid post, relief camps and community kitchens were also set up.
In Ri Bhoi, the drill started with “a major earthquake at 11 am and the violent shocks were felt for about 8-10 seconds while the whole earthquake lasted for about 60 seconds with number of aftershocks”.
The drills were organised by the State Disaster Management Authority in collaboration with National Disaster Management Authority, and the DDMAs.