Dharamshala, June 6 (Arvind Sharma)
A comprehensive mock drill was conducted on Friday morning in Dharamshala to assess the disaster preparedness and response capabilities of the Kangra District Administration in the event of a major earthquake. The exercise, organized by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), began at 9:00 AM with an alert triggering the mobilization of all relevant teams to the staging area at the Police Grounds.
Treating the mock drill as a real-time emergency, teams swiftly responded to simulated earthquake-affected locations including Inderu Nag, the DRDA office, and Kirpa Mode in McLeodganj. Rescue operations were carried out to evacuate and provide emergency aid to the ‘injured’ as per the disaster management protocol.
Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa, who supervised the operation, stated that the objective of the drill was to evaluate the effectiveness of the district’s emergency response plan and standard operating procedures (SOPs). “The exercise helped identify response times, coordination gaps, field-level challenges, and other operational shortcomings. Based on the observations, corrective measures will be taken to enhance the district’s disaster preparedness,” he said.
Highlighting Kangra’s vulnerability, the Deputy Commissioner noted that the district falls in Seismic Zone V—India’s highest risk zone for earthquakes. “Given the region’s history, including the devastating 1905 Kangra earthquake which claimed over 20,000 lives, such preparedness drills are essential,” he added.
The drill encompassed a wide range of activities, including deployment of rescue teams, activation of emergency communication networks, departmental coordination, use of modern technology and machinery for clearing roads, on-site medical assistance, ambulance services, relief camp setups, and distribution of food and drinking water. The role of community participation in disaster response was also reviewed during the drill.
Mock drills were simultaneously conducted across all sub-divisions of Kangra district as part of the broader disaster preparedness initiative. Officials said the exercise significantly contributed to capacity building and helped reinforce the responsibilities of departments in managing large-scale emergencies.
