National mock drill on quake, chemical hazards to be held in Gzb, GB Nagar on Aug 1
Part of the "Suraksha Chakra" initiative, the exercise is aimed at stress-testing emergency preparedness and response mechanisms across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.
The mock drill is being organised by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with the Headquarters Western Command of the Indian Army, Headquarters Delhi Area, and the State Disaster Management Authorities of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.
It will be preceded by a four-day Integrated Disaster Management Symposium and several preparatory events across the National Capital Region from July 29 to August 1.
According to Omkar Chaturvedi, district disaster expert for Gautam Buddha Nagar, the Government of India has mandated rehearsals at a minimum of five sites in each participating district prior to the August 1 drill. ADM-level officers have been appointed as nodal officers, with Chaturvedi serving as assistant nodal officer for Gautam Buddha Nagar.
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In Gautam Buddha Nagar, six locations have been selected for the mock exercise, Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Greater Noida, Savitri Bai Phule Girls Inter College in Dadri, Vikas Bhawan, LG Electronics India Ltd., AWHO Township in Gurjinder Vihar, and Gautam Buddha University, which will serve as the staging area. A preparatory meeting will be held on July 28 at 1 pm at the Collectorate Auditorium in Noida, where all departments are expected to present updates on progress and coordination.
"The mock drill is not just a simulation but a stress test of our systems. Any negligence will directly reflect in how prepared we truly are," said Chaturvedi.
In Ghaziabad, drills will be conducted at five sites: Ingraham Inter College, VVIP Addresses Society, HPCL Loni, District Joint Hospital, and the Modinagar Tehsil Bhawan.
At a review meeting held in Ghaziabad on Saturday, Lt Gen Yogendra Dimri, vice president of the UP-State Disaster Management Authority, urged departments to approach the exercise as a real-time emergency.
"There should be no panic during a disaster. The nodal officer must assess where help is needed the most and coordinate with locals, NGOs, and other support groups to mobilise manpower immediately," said Dimri. Emphasising the need for greater public awareness, he added, "When people are aware, they become part of the response mechanism, not a liability."
Departments in both districts have been assigned specific roles. The NDRF and NCC will lead rescue operations; health teams will triage patients using colour-coded bands, and civic bodies will handle sanitation, drinking water supply, and debris clearance. Police, traffic, fire, and information departments will manage law and order, vehicular movement, safety, and documentation.
Officials said the objective is to identify and address any gaps in the system now, before a real disaster strikes.
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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
National mock drill on quake, chemical hazards to be held in Gzb, GB Nagar on Aug 1
Noida: Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar have been selected from Uttar Pradesh to participate in a national-level mock drill simulating earthquake and chemical disaster scenarios on August 1. Part of the "Suraksha Chakra" initiative, the exercise is aimed at stress-testing emergency preparedness and response mechanisms across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana. The mock drill is being organised by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with the Headquarters Western Command of the Indian Army, Headquarters Delhi Area, and the State Disaster Management Authorities of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana. It will be preceded by a four-day Integrated Disaster Management Symposium and several preparatory events across the National Capital Region from July 29 to August 1. According to Omkar Chaturvedi, district disaster expert for Gautam Buddha Nagar, the Government of India has mandated rehearsals at a minimum of five sites in each participating district prior to the August 1 drill. ADM-level officers have been appointed as nodal officers, with Chaturvedi serving as assistant nodal officer for Gautam Buddha Nagar. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida In Gautam Buddha Nagar, six locations have been selected for the mock exercise, Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Greater Noida, Savitri Bai Phule Girls Inter College in Dadri, Vikas Bhawan, LG Electronics India Ltd., AWHO Township in Gurjinder Vihar, and Gautam Buddha University, which will serve as the staging area. A preparatory meeting will be held on July 28 at 1 pm at the Collectorate Auditorium in Noida, where all departments are expected to present updates on progress and coordination. "The mock drill is not just a simulation but a stress test of our systems. Any negligence will directly reflect in how prepared we truly are," said Chaturvedi. In Ghaziabad, drills will be conducted at five sites: Ingraham Inter College, VVIP Addresses Society, HPCL Loni, District Joint Hospital, and the Modinagar Tehsil Bhawan. At a review meeting held in Ghaziabad on Saturday, Lt Gen Yogendra Dimri, vice president of the UP-State Disaster Management Authority, urged departments to approach the exercise as a real-time emergency. "There should be no panic during a disaster. The nodal officer must assess where help is needed the most and coordinate with locals, NGOs, and other support groups to mobilise manpower immediately," said Dimri. Emphasising the need for greater public awareness, he added, "When people are aware, they become part of the response mechanism, not a liability." Departments in both districts have been assigned specific roles. The NDRF and NCC will lead rescue operations; health teams will triage patients using colour-coded bands, and civic bodies will handle sanitation, drinking water supply, and debris clearance. Police, traffic, fire, and information departments will manage law and order, vehicular movement, safety, and documentation. Officials said the objective is to identify and address any gaps in the system now, before a real disaster strikes.
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