Our Bureau
SHILLONG/NONGPOH/TURA/JOWAI, March 20: Aiming to raise public awareness on earthquake preparedness, mock exercises were conducted on Thursday across various districts of Meghalaya. The initiative was led by the Department of Revenue and Disaster Management and the Meghalaya State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA), in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), New Delhi.
In Shillong, drills were held at multiple locations, including Buddha Vidya Niketan Secondary School in Polo, the Soil and Water Conservation Office in Lawmali, Polo Hills residential area, Market Complex in Polo, Pynthorumkhrah Approach Bridge near B.K. Bajoria School, Wahingdoh locality, and Police Quarter Reserve.
Following the exercise, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner RM Kurbah briefed the media, emphasizing that the drill aimed to educate the public on disaster response, particularly for sudden natural calamities like earthquakes.
She noted that the State-Level Mock Exercise 2025 was part of Meghalaya’s broader disaster preparedness efforts, involving all districts and sub-divisions. Various agencies, including the SDRF, Fire and Emergency Services, Police Department, and DM&HO, actively participated in the exercise.
The DC stressed the importance of public preparedness, warning that a lack of readiness could lead to severe consequences. She cited past incidents such as the fire at the Church of God (M&A) in Qualapatty, which resulted in two fatalities, and the fire at KJP Higher Secondary School in Mission Compound. She also highlighted how vehicle congestion often hinders firefighting efforts, obstructing emergency response vehicles. She further underscored the need for better coordination with Rangbah Shnong (community leaders), as they are often the first to become aware of incidents and can quickly alert district authorities.
Earthquake simulation in Tura
In Tura, the mock exercise simulated an 8.3-magnitude earthquake disaster. The event was organized by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), in collaboration with MSDMA and NDMA.
The drill aimed to enhance preparedness among emergency response teams, including medical personnel, fire and emergency services, and other first responders. Given that the region falls under Seismic Zone V — a high-risk earthquake zone — the exercise focused on disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response. It also sought to ensure that communities and volunteers are well-equipped to handle emergencies.
Key operation sites included the District Council Office Building, Tura Civil Hospital, Tura Super Market, St. Xavier’s Secondary School, and Deran Gittim. The Incident Command Post (ICP) and Planning Section (PS) were set up at Circuit House, while other critical sections, including logistics and relief camps, were based at Tura Government College.
The exercise commenced at 9:30 AM with a siren, signaling the start of evacuations, search and rescue operations, first aid treatment, and triage before transporting casualties to hospitals. Participants included district officers, Civil Defence, MPRO, Police, Health, Fire and Emergency Services, volunteers, and other key departments.
A simultaneous online debriefing with all districts was held at NIC, Tura, with participation from West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Jagdish Chelani, Superintendent of Police Abraham T. Sangma, District Disaster Management Officer James D. Sangma, Senior Observer Hubert B. Marak, and other officials.
Similar mock exercises were conducted in Baghmara and Chokpot civil sub-divisions, simulating an 8.3-magnitude earthquake with massive landslides and widespread casualties. Emergency Response Teams carried out rescue operations at locations including Rangku Memorial Girls’ Secondary School, PHE Office Building, Baghmara New Market area, Baghmara Civil Hospital, and Bolsal A’ding near a petrol pump. In Chokpot, Chokpot HS School was designated as the incident site.
Ampati
In Ampati, South West Garo Hills, a mock exercise simulated an 8.3-magnitude earthquake with its epicenter in Shillong. The drill was conducted across multiple operational sites.
The exercise saw active participation from government officers, local residents, community members, healthcare workers, police, fire and emergency services, MPRO, SDRF, BSF, and other key stakeholders. Simulated scenarios included landslides, collapsed buildings, and fires, testing real-time response and inter-agency coordination.
Nongpoh
In Nongpoh, the mock drill began at 9:30 AM with a siren signaling an 8.3-magnitude earthquake. The exercise simulated widespread destruction, including damaged houses, school buildings, bridges, landslides, injuries to hundreds, and a fire outbreak.
Key stakeholders involved included Meghalaya Police, Fire Services, NDRF, SDRF, NHAI, NEPA, various line departments, Christian Higher Secondary School Pahamsyiem, residents of Pahamsyiem village, Nongpoh Civil Hospital, Bethany Hospital, Nongpoh MUDA Complex, and Umiam Distillation Industries, Byrnihat. The National Highway at Shangbangla was also part of the simulation.
Jowai
Mock drills were conducted in Jowai, Amlarem Civil Sub-division, Thadlaskein Block, and Laskein Block, simulating an 8.7-magnitude earthquake across various locations.
In Jowai, affected areas included a fire outbreak at Dowel Fuels, Ladthalaboh, a landslide at Raitsasim Bypass, collapse of the western portion of Ladthadlaboh Secondary School, and staged emergency scenarios at 1-India Family Mart (Loomsoiung) and Dr. Norman Tunnel Hospital (Moosalyngat)
The staging area was set up at Kiang Nangbah Government College Playground, Ladthalaboh. First responders, rescue teams, and emergency personnel participated actively in evacuation and relief operations.