Earthquake preparation drill held in 41 locations of state

In a proactive move to enhance public awareness and preparedness for natural disasters, a comprehensive earthquake drill was conducted today across eight districts of the state.

The exercise, organized under the initiative of the Tripura Disaster Management Authority and the National Disaster Management Authority, received crucial financial support from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

At 9 am today, simultaneous drills unfolded in 6 locations within West Tripura district and 5 locations in each of the remaining 7 districts. The drill took place in 41 locations. The State Emergency Operation Center at the Capitol Complex hosted a key demonstration, showcasing the state's preparedness and coordination in the event of an earthquake.

Chief Secretary JK Sinha, Senior Consultant of NDMA Major General Sudhir Bhal, Revenue Department Secretary TK Debnath, IGP GS Rao, Director of Information and Culture Department Bimbisar Bhattacharya, and State Project Officer for Disaster Management Sarat Kumar Das among others actively participated in the exercise.

Various departments, including Assam Rifles, BSF, CRPF, TSR, NDRF, Air Force, ONGC, and representatives from departments such as education, works, fisheries, planning, cybercrime, revenue, and more, contributed to the success of the drill.

The earthquake simulation, conducted at the State Emergency Operations Center, involved sounding sirens at 9 am and 9:45 am with intensities measured at 8.2 and 6.2 on the Richter scale, respectively. Officers and the public practiced safety measures, taking shelter under tables and chairs, while some evacuated buildings to open spaces.

Via video conference, the earthquake drills conducted in the 8 districts were monitored from the State Emergency Operations Center. Following the main exercise, Chief Secretary JK Sinha, NDMA Senior Consultant Major General Sudhir Bhal, West District Commissioner Dr. Vishal Kumar, and State Project Officer of Disaster Management Sarat Kumar Das visited GBP Hospital.

Notably, Umakanta Academy English Medium School and portions of IGM Hospital were inspected for their readiness and response capabilities by NDMA Senior Consultant Major General Sudhir Bhal, West District Commissioner Dr. Vishal Kumar, State Project Officer of Disaster Management Sarat Kumar Das, and other officials.

This drill exemplifies the state's commitment to ensuring the safety and preparedness of its residents in the face of potential natural disasters, fostering a culture of resilience and collaboration across various sectors.