Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav: Mega Mock Drill to check Earthquake/Landslide disaster preparedness held at Srinagar

Srinagar : In order to check the preparedness to combat any natural calamity and to assess emergency response level of Srinagar district towards a disaster situation, a Mega Mock Drill Exercise was held on Wednesday here at Nigeen Club.
The Programme was organized on the directions of Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad by District Administration Srinagar in Joint collaboration of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force(SDRF) and Civil Defence under activities of Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, who is also the Chairman District Disaster Management Authority presided over the Mock Drill executed by Special Rescue and Response teams of NDRF and SDRF.
Commandant, SDRF, Haseeb-ur-Rehman, Director Disaster Management Amir Ali, Deputy Commandant NDRF 13 Bn, M.N Khana, Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Syed Hanief Balkhi, besides other senior Officers of District Administration were present on the occasion.
On the occasion, a live demonstration of the emergency response system was given and equipments/tools used in such situation were kept on display, while a disaster/earthquake-like situation was created in the premises of Nigeen Club presuming that some natural calamity had fallen. The NDRF and SDRF conducted the mock exercise regarding rescue operations by following laid down procedure. Creating situations like reaching to the disaster victims, rescue from multi storey buildings, cutting of walls, lifting of heavy debris were demonstrated by the NDRF, SDRF, Fire Services personnel and using different techniques and tools.
While lauding the efforts of the stakeholders involved in the Mega Mock Drill exercise, the Deputy Commissioner said the motive was to make all concerned departments and agencies operational ready to deal with the situation of earthquake or any other disaster situation. He said Srinagar district is located in IV & V of Seismic Zone, which shows the vulnerability to earthquakes in the district is severe. He said the mock drill is a learning exercise for all participating departments and agencies.
The DC appreciated NDRF/SDRF for well-coordinated drill and said such mock exercises will go a long way to create awareness among the people and keep the stakeholders in readiness to face any eventualities.
Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner visited various stalls established at the venue and inspected the Communication & Disaster Response Drone system, Medical Base Camp, Logistic & Staging area.