Shillong, March 18 : The Meghalaya State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA), in partnership with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), held a crucial table-top state-level mock exercise on earthquake disaster at the State Convention Centre in Shillong today.
M. War Nongbri, Commissioner & Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management Department and Executive Director of MSDMA, initiated the session, highlighting the critical need for disaster preparedness in Meghalaya. Sanjay Goyal, Commissioner & Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management Department, expressed optimism that the exercise would provide valuable insights to strengthen the state’s disaster response capabilities. He emphasized the importance of reassessing resources and infrastructure to ensure effective utilization and improve response speed and coordination.
Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.), Member of NDMA, New Delhi, underscored the significance of such exercises in disaster preparedness. He urged officials to review the 10-point agenda on the NDMA website, focusing on community response, the SACHET early warning app, school and hospital safety programs, and the critical role of communication during emergencies. He also stressed the need for professional understanding in disaster management.
The event included online presentations from 11 districts, showcasing their disaster preparedness initiatives. Officials from various departments attended the exercise, demonstrating a unified commitment to disaster preparedness and coordination.
Following the presentations, a table-top exercise, chaired by Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.), Sanjay Goyal, and co-chaired by Maj. Gen. Sudhir Bahl (Retd.), Lead Consultant (ME & IRS) of NDMA, provided a platform for key officials to simulate and discuss disaster response strategies in a controlled environment. This exercise aimed to further enhance their preparedness and coordination in the event of emergencies.
