In view of Haryana falling within the high seismic zone, the state government in collaboration with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Thursday conducted a statewide Mega Mock exercise on earthquake to check the reaction and response time.

While addressing the mediapersons after the mock drill, Haryana Revenue and Disaster Management minister Captain Abhimanyu said that apart from the Civil Secretariat in the state capital, the mock drills were conducted in 122 locations across 22 districts simultaneously.

He said that an 11-minute response time was achieved in the mock drill conducted at Civil Secretariat.

Abhimanyu said, “It is for the first time in Haryana’s history when the government has exercised the mock drill to such a big level. A total 136 teams were deployed in the districts for response consisted of district machinery and central agencies. Based on assumption, total number of casualties identified in this mega mock exercise is 257 and injured are 1717.”

He said that right from the chief minister ManoharLalKhattar, Chief Secretary DS Dhesi, officers of district administration and central agencies have collectively made efforts for success of the exercise. The Deputy Commissioners have been directed to follow-up the exercise for 10 days so as to ascertain the additional requirements of equipments and other needs.All occupants of designated buildings conducted the duck, cover and hold activity. Then evacuation drills were got conducted in the schools, offices, residential complexes, shopping complexes, hospitals and major hazardous units in the state. Telecom services, electricity and water supply were gradually restored by departments concerned. Certain districts used drones to assess damage to initiated effective response, he added.

The minister said, “Some learning’s from this mock exercise are a separate communication network  and Emergency Operation Centres needs to be established, drones and aerial survey are very useful, a separate helpline for disaster may be established, retrofitting of all important buildings needs to be done.”