Shimla, June 6 — In a landmark initiative to boost disaster readiness and earthquake preparedness, Himachal Pradesh conducted its 9th State-wide Mega Mock Exercise, reaffirming its status as one of the most proactive states in India when it comes to disaster risk management. Orchestrated by the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) in close collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the simulation unfolded on June 6, 2025, and engaged a vast network of central, state, and district-level agencies.
The statewide drill was meticulously structured into three distinct phases to ensure comprehensive coverage and practical realism. The preparatory journey began with an Orientation and Coordination Workshop on May 27, 2025, followed by a detailed table-top exercise held on June 3. The final simulation, conducted physically on June 6, tested response protocols across 109 designated sites spanning every district of the state.
From Bilaspur to Lahaul-Spiti, Shimla to Sirmaur, every district played an active role in simulating complex and high-risk scenarios triggered by a hypothetical earthquake. These included cascading disasters such as Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), landslides, dam breaches, oil spills, building collapses, fire outbreaks, and industrial hazards—many of which are especially relevant given Himachal Pradesh’s fragile topography, seismic vulnerability, and increasing anthropogenic pressures.
The simulation witnessed coordinated participation from major national response forces such as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). Additionally, specialized response units like the Deepak Project teams were deployed alongside state agencies including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Police, Fire Services, and Home Guards. District Administrations were placed at the core of the exercise, leading the on-ground response in line with the guidelines set by the Incident Response System (IRS), which Himachal Pradesh formally adopted back in 2017.
At the heart of the mock drill was not just simulation, but introspection. A comprehensive debriefing session followed the exercise, chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue-DM), Sh. K.K. Pant. He commended the wide-scale participation and emphasized the need for constant evolution in disaster preparedness. Quoting a timeless maxim, he said, “The more we sweat in peace, the less we bleed in war,” urging all departments to proactively address the identified gaps. Feedback from district-level observers highlighted strengths and weaknesses in the current disaster response mechanisms, with Deputy Commissioners of each district committing to act swiftly on the recommendations.
Director-cum-Ex Officio Special Secretary (Revenue-DM) of the state, Sh. D.C. Rana, added further urgency by calling for the strengthening of medical preparedness, logistics systems, and the refinement of search and rescue frameworks. He particularly highlighted the importance of integrating modern technology into disaster response—such as VSAT-based emergency communication and GIS mapping tools—which are vital for accurately assessing impact zones in remote and mountainous regions like Himachal.
Adding strategic insights from the national perspective, Maj. Gen. Sudhir Behl (Retd.), Lead Consultant to the NDMA, emphasized that inter-agency synergy and seamless coordination between the State Disaster Management Authority, District Disaster Management Authorities, and supporting line departments is critical to transforming these drills into real-world readiness. He urged all stakeholders to remain ever-vigilant and adopt a proactive, united approach to disaster risk reduction.
This mega mock exercise sends a strong message not only to the people of Himachal Pradesh but to states across India: preparedness is not a one-time effort but an ongoing commitment. As the region grapples with increasing climate-related vulnerabilities, the ability to respond swiftly and effectively will define resilience.
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