The Department of Revenue & Disaster Management and the Meghalaya State Disaster Management Authority conducted a mock exercise across the state today to raise public awareness on how to respond in the event of an earthquake.
The drill simulated an 8.3-magnitude earthquake and related disaster scenarios across all districts and sub-divisions.
In Shillong, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner R. M. Kurbah said that the drill was designed to prepare and educate the public on how to protect themselves during a disaster, particularly natural calamities like earthquakes, which can strike without warning.
She further noted that the State-Level Mock Exercise 2025 was part of the state’s disaster preparedness efforts for earthquakes, with activities conducted across all districts and sub-divisions. In Shillong, the drill saw participation from various agencies, including SDRF, Fire and Emergency Services, the Police Department, DM&HO, and others.
The mock exercise took place at several locations, including school, government offices and market.
The DC emphasised the importance of public preparedness for natural disasters, noting that a lack of readiness could lead to severe consequences. She pointed out incidents such as the fire at the Church of God (M&A) in Qualapatty, which resulted in two fatalities, and the fire at KJP Higher Secondary School in Mission Compound. She also highlighted how firefighting efforts were hindered due to vehicle congestion, which obstructed access to fire emergencies vehicles.
She further stressed the need for coordination with Rangbah Shnong, as they are the first to learn of any incident and can alert the district authorities. Earthquakes do not wait for anyone, and it is crucial for local Dorbar Shnong and the public to cooperate and be prepared to work together in the event of such emergencies.
In West Jaintia Hills, the drill covered incidences of fire breakout, landslide and earthquake. First responders, rescue teams and emergency personnel were promptly deployed to carry out search and rescue operations, provide medical aid and ensure public safety during the exercise.
Similar exercises were also conducted in East Jaintia Hills district. The whole exercise of evacuation, search and rescue of persons trapped inside the buildings and provision of first aid treatment before being shifted by ambulances to health care facilities witnessed the active participation of line departments, Police, Fire & Emergency Services, Civil Defence & Home Guards, Medical and Health Team, Community members, Volunteers, and students of different schools in the district.
Deputy Commissioner Shivansh Awasthi emphasised on the importance of community involvement in rescue and relief operations stating that today’s exercise would help them be aware of the necessary steps to take in case of an actual earthquake strike.
In South West Khasi Hills district, the operation sites for the mock exercise included Mawkyrwat Presbyterian Secondary School, Branch Office of the KHADC in Mawkyrwat, the Office of the Water Resource, Laitlawsang Village, Mawkyrwat Market, the SP Office in Mawkyrwat, and the Health Building in the Mini Secretariat. For Ranikor Civil Sub-Division & Ranikor C&RD Block, the designated operation site will be at Kensohsan.
A debriefing session with all the districts was held through video conferencing during which an evaluation on the performance of the exercise and gaps for improvement in future such exercises were discussed.
